How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make Yearly?

Find out how much a medical assistant makes in a year. This includes salary, bonuses, and other forms of compensation.

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Job Description

A medical assistant is a person who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Medical assistants do administrative and clinical tasks. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.

Medical assistants must be able to perform both clerical and clinical duties. Clinical duties may include taking medical histories, measuring patients’ vital signs, drawing blood, preparing patients for examination, and performing routine laboratory tests. Clerical duties may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding for insurance purposes.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a medical assistant was $34,800 per year in 2019. The salary range for medical assistants is $29,460 to $41,790 per year. The top 10% of medical assistants earn more than $46,350 per year, and the bottom 10% earn less than $28,340 per year.

Training and Certification

Medical assistants perform clerical and administrative duties in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They work under the supervision of a licensed health care provider, such as a doctor or nurse.

Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program, although some have on-the-job training. Medical assistant programs typically last from 1 to 2 years and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer associate’s degree programs in medical assisting.

Employers usually require medical assistants to be certified. Certification for medical assistants is available from several organizations, including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for certification, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certification exam.

Job Outlook

Medical assistants are in high demand and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 23% through 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boomer population is one reason for this expected growth. As people live longer and have more complex medical needs, there will be an increased demand for medical services. Another reason for growth is that physicians are increasingly employing medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks so that they can see more patients.

Medical assistants held about 727,000 jobs in 2019. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019.

Pros and Cons

Whether you are just out of high school or making a mid-career switch, you may be wondering if a career as a medical assistant is the right choice for you. While most job seekers are interested in salary and benefits, it is important to consider all aspects of the job before making a decision. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of being a medical assistant.

As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for performing basic patient care tasks, such as taking vital signs and administering injections. You will also be responsible for maintaining Medical records and scheduling appointments. Medical assistants typically work in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals.

Pros:

– Medical assistants are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 23 percent from 2018 to 2028—much faster than the average for all occupations.

– Medical assistants can earn a good salary. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018.

– Medical assistants have good job prospects. In addition to the large number of job openings due to growth, many medical assistants will leave the occupation each year, creating even more job openings.

Cons:

– Medical assisting is a physically demanding job. You will be on your feet for long periods of time and may have to lift and move patients.
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What to Expect

The average medical assistant salary is $33,610 per year, or $16.15 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).However, salaries can range from as low as $25,890 to as high as $43,180. That’s a difference of more than $17,000! The variation in medical assistant pay is largely due to experience and location.

Working Conditions

Medical assistants work in outpatient facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. They typically work alongside physicians, other medical assistants, and office staff. Their duties vary by employer, but they usually include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. Medical assistants also may schedule appointments, complete insurance forms, authorize prescriptions, measure patients’ weight and blood pressure levels, remove sutures and apply topical medications. Some medical assistants take X rays while others prep patients for X rays or other diagnostic tests. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. However, some states have approved formal training programs for medical assistants that lead to certification.

Advancement Opportunities

The best way to earn a higher salary as a medical assistant is to gain experience and advance in your career. With experience, you will be able to take on more responsibilities and may be eligible for a promotion to a supervisory or lead position. You can also increase your earnings by pursuing higher education and specialized training.

Locations with the Highest Employment Levels

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2019, the states with the highest employment levels for medical assistants were as follows:

California – 74,550
Texas – 46,610
Florida – 37,770
New York – 32,070
Pennsylvania – 25,610

The metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for medical assistants were as follows:

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Salary Levels

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some positions may require postsecondary education, and you will need to complete a medical assistant program. Once you have completed your training, you will be able to work in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices.

The salary for a medical assistant can vary depending on a number of factors, including experience, education, location, and employer. In general, medical assistants in the United States earn an average yearly salary of $30,590. However, salaries can range from $21,980 to $43,180 per year.

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Salary Levels:
-San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $38,960 per year
-Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: $37,870 per year
-Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA: $36,880 per year
-Boston-Cambridge-Nashua MA NECTA Division: $36640 per year