How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?

Medical assistants are responsible for performing a variety of tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They may also be responsible for administrative duties in a medical office or facility.

While the median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019, the top 10 percent earned more than $49,200, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $24,690.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical assistants are allied health professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in order to keep doctor’s offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly. Their duties can vary depending on state law, but usually include taking and recording medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting during the exam, and performing basic laboratory tests. Some medical assistants also give patients injections or perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, handling insurance forms, and coding patients’ medical records.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are health care professionals who provide basic patient care and perform office duties in doctors’, clinics’ and other health care facilities. Their responsibilities may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, providing patient education, preparing patients for examination, organizing lab tests and x-rays, billing and coding insurance forms, and scheduling appointments. Many medical assistants have received formal training through certificate or diploma programs. Others have learned through on-the-job training.

What Skills Does a Medical Assistant Need?

The medical assistant job market is expected to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for medical assistants will continue to grow as the healthcare industry continues to grow. The aging baby boomer population will require more medical care as they age and live longer.

Medical assistants need a variety of skills to perform their duties, which may vary depending on the size and type of healthcare facility where they work. In small clinics, medical assistants may be responsible for a wide range of administrative and clinical tasks. In larger facilities, they may specialize in either administrative or clinical work. Some of the skills that all medical assistants need include:

-Interpersonal skills. Medical assistants must be able to interact with patients in a friendly, helpful way and put them at ease. They also must be able to communicate effectively with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
-Organizational skills. Medical assistants must be able to keep track of patients’ files, schedules, insurance information, and appointments. In larger facilities, they may also be responsible for managing the information in electronic health records (EHRs).
-Administrative skills. Medical assistants perform many administrative tasks, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating patient files, scheduling appointments, and filling out insurance forms. They also may handle billing and coding procedures.
-Clinical skills. Clinical tasks performed by medical assistants include taking vital signs (blood pressure, temperature), measuring height and weight, drawing blood, administering medications (shots), preparing patients for exams (including taking urine and stool samples), giving electrocardiograms (EKGs), removing sutures (stitches), and changing dressings on wounds.*

What Education Does a Medical Assistant Need?

Medical assistants can have many roles within a healthcare facility. They might take patient medical histories and vitals, schedule appointments, prepare blood for laboratory tests, sterilize medical instruments, or give injections under a doctor’s supervision. Some medical assistants also perform basic clerical duties, such as handling patients’ billing and insurance information. Most have postsecondary education, although some states allow them to work without formal training.

What is the Job Outlook for Medical Assistants?

The job outlook for medical assistants is very promising. The occupation is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between now and 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact, the BLS predicts that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% during that time period, which is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Different States?

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to work in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices. Your duties as a medical assistant will vary depending on the state in which you work.

The table below shows the average annual salary for medical assistants in different states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As you can see, medical assistants in Alaska earn the highest salaries, followed by those in California and Massachusetts.

What are the Different Types of Medical Assistants?

Medical assistants are important members of the healthcare team. They perform many tasks to support doctors and other medical professionals, and they play a vital role in patient care.

There are two main types of medical assistants: clinical medical assistants and administrative medical assistants. Clinical medical assistants work directly with patients. They may take vital signs, such as blood pressure, weight, and temperature. They may also collect and process laboratory specimens. Administrative medical assistants perform tasks that keep the office running smoothly. They may answer phones, schedule appointments, file insurance claims, and handle billing and coding.

Both types of medical assistants must be detail-oriented and organized. They must be able to multitask and work well under pressure. Medical assistants must be able to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other members of the healthcare team.

The duties of medical assistant vary depending on the type of position, size of the practice, geographic location, and specialty of the practice. In small practices, medical assistants often wear many hats and are expected to be versatile. In larger practices or clinics with more specialized staffs, medical assistants may have more focused roles. For example, some medical assistants may only work in the billing office while others may only work in the laboratory.”

What are the Certification and Licensure Requirements for Medical Assistants?

There are no formal education requirements for medical assistants, but many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a postsecondary training program. These programs, which typically last about one year, can be found at community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools. Some hospitals also offer on-the-job training programs for medical assistants.

Most states do not require medical assistants to be licensed or certified, but some employers may prefer or require candidates to have certification. Certification is voluntary, but it can show employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the job. The two main certifying organizations for medical assistants are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for certification, you must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass an exam. Once you are certified, you will need to renew your certification every few years by completing continuing education credits.

What are the Salary and Benefits of a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are integral members of the healthcare team, performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly. They are often the first point of contact with patients and play a vital role in keeping medical practices organized and efficient.

While job duties vary depending on the size and type of medical practice, medical assistants typically perform a combination of office work and direct patient care. Office duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence. Clinical duties may include taking patient histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with minor office procedures, and giving patients instructions for follow-up care.

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education from an accredited program; some states require certification or registration. Medical assistants typically earn salaries in the range of $32,000 to $40,000 per year, with the potential for earning more as they gain experience. Benefits packages may include health insurance, paid vacation days, and retirement plans.

How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?