The Average Income of a Medical Assistant

The medical assistant profession is a popular one with many people looking to get into the field. But what does the average medical assistant make? We explore this question and more in this blog post.

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What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are professionals who provide patient care and perform administrative duties in medical facilities. They work alongside physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Medical assistants typically have an associate degree or certificate from an accredited program. Some states require Medical Assistants to be licensed or certified.

The average income of a medical assistant is $16.02 per hour, or $33,610 per year. salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the average income of a medical assistant?

The average income of a medical assistant varies depending on experience, geographical location, and type of employer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,690, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,620.

The duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants perform many duties, including but not limited to administrative, clerical, and clinical tasks. They are a vital part of the healthcare team. Medical assistants are usually divided into two categories: clinical medical assistants and administrative medical assistants. The duties of each type of medical assistant may vary slightly, but they both typically perform a combination of both clinical and administrative tasks.

Clinical medical assistants typically do the following:
-Take patient medical histories
-Measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and weight
-Prepare patients for examination
-Assist the physician during the exam
-Schedule follow-up appointments
-Draw blood
-Give injections
-Perform basic laboratory tests

Administrative medical assistants typically do the following:
-Greet patients when they arrive at the office or clinic
-Fill out insurance forms
-Code patients’ medical records
-Handle correspondence
-Schedule appointments
-Arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services

Medical assistants usually work in outpatient facilities, such as clinics, physician’s offices, and group practices. They may also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The training required to become a medical assistant

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Some states have formal education programs for medical assistants, but many do not. Although formal education is not always required, medical assistants must complete a brief period of on-the-job training before they are fully qualified.

Employers generally prefer to hire medical assistants who have completed a formal education program. Programs typically last from 1 to 2 years and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some programs lead to an Associate’s degree in medical assisting.

The job outlook for medical assistants

The job outlook for medical assistants is positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for medical assistants in May 2018 was $33,610 per year. The bureau anticipates a 29% growth in employment for medical assistants between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

There are a number of reasons why the job outlook for medical assistants is so positive. The population is aging, and as people live longer, they will need more medical care. In addition, there is an increasing emphasis on preventative medicine, which means that more people will be visiting doctors for checkups and other routine care. As a result, there will be a growing need for medical assistants who can perform administrative and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices and clinics.

The states with the highest concentration of medical assistants

While the Bureau of Labor and Statistics does not keep data on the average income of medical assistants by state, they do maintain data on the states with the highest concentration of medical assistants. Here are the top five states, according to their most recent data:

1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. New York
5. Pennsylvania

The states with the highest median salary for medical assistants

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

Maryland – $36,140
Washington D.C. – $35,590
Alaska – $34,610
Massachusetts – $34,200
Connecticut – $33,950

The cities with the highest concentration of medical assistants

There is a wide range in pay for medical assistants, depending on their experience, geographic location, and the type of facility they work in. The following are the cities with the highest concentration of medical assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

-Los Angeles, CA
-New York, NY
-Chicago, IL
-Houston, TX
-Phoenix, AZ

The cities with the highest median salary for medical assistants

The median salary for medical assistants is highest in the following cities: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Vallejo, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.

How to become a medical assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to complete an accredited medical assistant program, which typically takes about one year to complete. Once you have completed your medical assistant program, you will need to pass the certified medical assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants in order to become certified.

Medical assistants typically make an annual salary of $30,000-$40,000. However, salaries may vary depending on experience, location, and employer.