Certified Medical Assistants in the U.S.: Salaries

Wondering how much Medical assistants make? Check out our blog post to see the average salaries for certified Medical Assistants in the United States

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Job Description

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They typically work under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physician or nurse.

Duties of medical assistants vary depending on the size and location of their employers’ practices, as well as state regulations. In small practices, medical assistants often handle both administrative and clinical duties. In larger practices, they may be responsible for either administrative duties or clinical duties, or they may be specialized in a particular area, such as billing or insurance processing.

Duties

A medical assistant is an allied health professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Medical assistants might take medical histories, help patients understand their health problems, prepare them for examinations, collect laboratory specimens, perform basic laboratory tests, sterile dressings and cast removal.
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medical assistant duties, responsibilities, tasks

Salary

How much does a certified medical assistant earn in the United States?

In the United States, certified medical assistants earned a median annual salary of $33,610 in 2016, with slightly more earning potential in some states and metropolitan areas. Salaries for the top 10 percent of earners were more than $48,120, while the lowest 10 percent of earners brought in less than $23,430.

Education and Training

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate, though some have Associate’s degrees. Many community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools offer programs in medical assisting. Although not required, medical assistants can earn credentialing through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Most medical assistants complete a postsecondary education program of either 1 or 2 years in length to earn either a certificate or diploma. A smaller number complete formal medical assisting programs at the Associate’s degree level.

Certification

Medical assistants in the United States can choose to become certified through a professional organization, such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association. Certification is not required to work as a medical assistant, but it may give you an edge when applying for jobs or promotions.

There are several different types of certification available to medical assistants, each with its own set of requirements. The most common type of certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which requires completion of an accredited medical assisting program and passing a national exam.

Other types of certification include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, which requires completion of an accredited medical assisting program and passing a national exam, and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential, which requires passing an exam and completing a clinical externship.

The salary for a certified medical assistant varies depending on experience, geographical location, and type of employer. In general, however, certified medical assistants in the United States earn an average salary of $15 per hour.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for certified medical assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that the demand for medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who need medical care, as well as the continued expansion of healthcare facilities and services.

Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, scheduling appointments, drawing blood, preparing patients for examinations, and providing basic patient care. In order to be a certified medical assistant, one must complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam.

Certified medical assistants in the United States earn a median annual salary of $31,540. The lowest 10% earn less than $21,370, and the highest 10% earn more than $46,480. Salaries vary depending on experience, location, and employer.

States with the Highest Employment Levels

The states and districts with the highest levels of employment for certified medical assistants are as follows:

California – 62,180
Texas – 34,780
New York – 33,690
Florida – 32,610
Pennsylvania – 18,170

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment Levels

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

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas

The top-paying metropolitan areas for certified medical assistants in the United States are as follows:

Pennsylvania – $37,010
Rhode Island – $36,950
Connecticut – $34,560
Alaska – $33,970
Massachusetts – $33,280

Top-Paying States

The following states had the highest average annual salary for medical assistants in 2018:

Alaska – $52,840

California – $50,630

District of Columbia – $50,170

Hawaii – $49,950

Massachusetts – $49,410