What You Need to Know About Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in 2020
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- What is the average hourly pay for a medical assistant?
- What are the factors that affect medical assistant pay?
- How can I maximize my earnings as a medical assistant?
- What are the benefits of becoming a medical assistant?
- What are the challenges of being a medical assistant?
- What is the job outlook for medical assistants?
- How can I advance my career as a medical assistant?
- What are the top paying states for medical assistants?
- What are the top paying industries for medical assistants?
Medical assistants are a vital part of the healthcare industry. They work alongside doctors and nurses to provide patient care. If you’re thinking of becoming a medical assistant, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s what you need to know about medical assistant hourly pay in 2020.
Checkout this video:
What is a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other medical professionals. They may be responsible for managing medical records scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and performing basic laboratory tests. In some states, they may also be allowed to administer injections or take patient vital signs.
Medical assistants typically have an associate degree or certificate from a community college or vocational school. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants, but not all. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2018 and 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Medical assistants earned a median hourly wage of $16.05 in May 2019, according to the BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.71, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.97.
What is the average hourly pay for a medical assistant?
The average hourly pay for a medical assistant in the United States is $16.05, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure includes all medical assistants, including those who work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare facilities.
Medical assistants can expect to earn slightly more than the national average hourly wage for all occupations, which is $17.09. The high demand for medical assistants is one of the main factors driving up wages in this field.
Hourly pay can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, and employer type. Medical assistants with more experience tend to earn higher wages than those who are just starting out. Similarly, those who work in metropolitan areas usually earn more than those who work in rural areas.
Finally, medical assistants who work for hospitals tend to earn more than those who work for other types of healthcare facilities. This is because hospitals typically offer higher wages and more opportunities for advancement than other types of employers.
What are the factors that affect medical assistant pay?
In order to become a medical assistant, there are several factors that you need to take into consideration. One of the most important factors is your hourly pay. Here is what you need to know about medical assistant hourly pay in 2020.
The average hourly pay for a medical assistant in the United States is $16.04, which comes out to an annual salary of $33,370. However, there are several factors that can affect how much you will actually be paid.
One of the most important factors is your experience level. Generally, the more experience you have, the higher your hourly pay will be. Another factor that can affect your pay is the state that you work in. For example, medical assistants in California tend to make more than medical assistants in other states.
Finally, the type of employer that you work for can also affect your hourly pay as a medical assistant. For example, hospitals typically pay more than private clinics.
Keep all of these factors in mind when considering how much you will be paid as a medical assistant. With experience and the right employer, you can expect to earn a competitive wage in this field.
How can I maximize my earnings as a medical assistant?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median hourly wage for medical assistants was $17.09 in May 2019.1 This means that half of all medical assistants earned less than this amount while half earned more. The lowest 10% of workers in this occupation earned less than $12.24 per hour, and the highest 10% earned more than $23.98 per hour.1
Geographic location is one factor that can affect earnings potential for medical assistants. According to the BLS, the states with the highest average hourly wages for medical assistants as of May 2019 were Alaska ($24.68), Massachusetts ($23.51), Washington ($22.98), Rhode Island ($22.62), and Connecticut ($21.91).1 The District of Columbia ($21.78), California ($21.54), Nevada ($20.84), New Jersey ($20.47), and New York ($20) rounded out the top 10 highest-paying states for medical assistants.1
What are the benefits of becoming a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are in high demand and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this demand will continue to grow in the coming years. If you’re thinking about a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great option. Here are a few things you should know about medical assistant hourly pay.
The median hourly wage for medical assistants was $15.21 in May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that half of all medical assistants made more than this amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent of earners made less than $10.35 per hour and the highest 10 percent made more than $21.48 per hour.
Factors that can affect medical assistant hourly pay include experience, location, and the type of employer. Medical assistants with more experience tend to earn higher wages, as do those who work in metropolitan areas or for large hospitals or clinics.
If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, you can expect to earn a competitive wage for your work. Contact us today to learn more about our medical assistant training program and how we can help you begin your new career.
What are the challenges of being a medical assistant?
As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for performing a variety of tasks to support the work of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Your duties will vary depending on the size and type of facility in which you work, but may include taking medical histories and recording vital statistics, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examinations, collecting and processing laboratory specimens, and instructing patients about medication and diet. In addition to clinical duties, you may also be responsible for administrative tasks such as managing patient records, billing insurance companies, and ordering medical supplies
Medical assistants must be able to perform their duties with accuracy and precision in order to protect the health of patients and the reputation of the healthcare facility in which they work. They must also be able to work well under pressure, as they may often be required to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Good communication skills are essential in this role, as medical assistants must be able to effectively communicate with patients, doctors, and other members of the healthcare team.
While many medical assistants are able to find entry-level positions with little or no formal education or training, most employers prefer candidates who have completed an accredited medical assisting program. Many community colleges and technical schools offer programs that can be completed in one year or less. Upon completion of a medical assistant program, students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Earning CMA certification is not required for employment as a medical assistant, but it may improve your job prospects and chances for advancement.
What is the job outlook for medical assistants?
The job outlook for medical assistants is positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 23 percent growth in employment opportunities from 2018 to 2028. This projected growth is much faster than the average for all occupations, which is only 5 percent. The demand for medical assistants is driven by the increasing number of aging baby boomers and their need for more medical care. The Affordable Care Act has also increased the demand for medical assistants by making health insurance more affordable and accessible to the millions of Americans who were previously uninsured.
As the demand for medical assistants grows, so does their pay. The median hourly wage for medical assistants was $16.05 in May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent of earners made more than $22.42 per hour, while the bottom 10 percent made less than $11.50 per hour. Medical assistants in the top 25 percentile of earners made at least $18.64 per hour, while those in the bottom 25 percentile made $14.21 or less per hour.
The states with the highest median hourly pay for medical assistants are Alaska ($20.86), Connecticut ($19.78), Hawaii ($19.51), Massachusetts ($19.17), and Oregon ($18.72). The metropolitan areas with the highest median hourly pay for medical assistants are San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco ($23.50), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ($22.74), Vallejo-Fairfield ($21.62), Santa Rosa ($21.36), and Santa Cruz-Watsonville ($20.93).
How can I advance my career as a medical assistant?
The medical assistant profession is projected to grow by 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This growth is due in part to an aging population and advances in medical technology that allow for more outpatient procedures.
As a result, there will be an increased demand for medical assistants who can perform both administrative and clinical duties. With experience, some medical assistants may advance to supervisory or managerial positions, or they may move into other allied health professions such as nursing or physical therapy.
Those interested in advancing their career as a medical assistant may want to consider pursuing additional education and training, such as an associate degree or certification in a specialty area such as medical billing and coding, electromyography, or ophthalmic assisting.
What are the top paying states for medical assistants?
As of May 2020, the average hourly pay for a Medical Assistant in the United States is $17.61. Medical assistants can make anywhere from $10.50 per hour to as much as $27.00 per hour, depending on their experience, location, and the type of facility they work in. The top paying states for medical assistants are Alaska, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Oregon.
What are the top paying industries for medical assistants?
The top paying industries for medical assistants are as follows:
Outpatient care centers – $17.59 per hour
Hospitals – $16.57 per hour
Physicians’ offices – $15.74 per hour
Nursing care facilities – $15.31 per hour
These figures are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and represent the hourly mean wage for medical assistants in the United States in 2020.