How Much Money Does a Medical Assistant Make in a Year?

How much money does a medical assistant make in a year? It’s a question that many people ask, and for good reason. Medical assistants are an important part of the healthcare team, providing vital support to doctors and other medical professionals.

While salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors, the average medical assistant makes $32,480 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So if you’re considering a career in medical assisting, you can rest assured

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How much does a medical assistant make in a year?

In the United States medical assistants make a median salary of $33,610 per year, or $16.17 per hour. This is lower than the salary for most other occupations in the country, but it is still a good wage. The top 10 percent of medical assistants make more than $49,380 per year, and the bottom 10 percent make less than $23,540 per year.

The average medical assistant salary

Medical assistants perform many tasks in a typical day, from administrative duties to clinical tasks. Their responsibilities vary by state, but they generally do not need a license to practice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,680.

The top-paying states for medical assistants

The top-paying states for medical assistants are Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Massachusetts, with average salaries ranging from $34,880 to $37,190 per year.

The lowest-paying states for medical assistants

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific data on medical assistants’ salaries by state, it does provide information on the lowest- and highest-paying states for this occupation. According to the BLS, the five lowest-paying states for medical assistants as of May 2019 were as follows:

Arkansas: $28,430
Montana: $29,810
Mississippi: $30,620
South Dakota: $31,350
Louisiana: $31,560

In contrast, the five highest-paying states for medical assistants as of May 2019 were as follows:

Alaska: $41,460
California: $40,870
Massachusetts: $39,490
Arizona: $38,880
Connecticut: $38,660

How experience affects medical assistant salaries

In general, medical assistants with more experience tend to earn higher salaries. However, there are a number of other factors that can affect how much money a medical assistant makes in a year, including location, employer type, and specialty.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of how these factors can affect medical assistant salaries:

Experience: Medical assistants with more experience tend to earn higher salaries. This is because they have the skills and knowledge to perform their job duties more efficiently and effectively.

Location: Medical assistants who work in metropolitan areas tend to earn higher salaries than those who work in rural areas. This is because the cost of living is typically higher in metropolitan areas, and employers are willing to pay more to attract and retain qualified employees.

Employer type: Medical assistants who work for hospitals tend to earn higher salaries than those who work for physicians’ offices or other types of healthcare facilities. This is because hospitals typically have larger budgets and can afford to pay their employees more.

Specialty: Medical assistants who specialize in a particular area of medicine tend to earn higher salaries than those who do not specialize. This is because they have the skills and knowledge to perform their job duties more effectively and efficiently.

How education affects medical assistant salaries

Medical assistants with a certificate or diploma from an accredited program earn, on average, $16,000 more than those without any formal education, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, medical assistants who have completed a formal education program are also more likely to receive benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation days.

The medical assistant job outlook

The medical assistant job outlook is very good. There are many medical assistant jobs available and the demand is expected to continue to grow. Medical assistants make a median salary of $33,610 per year. The top 10% of medical assistants make more than $48,720 per year.

The best industries for medical assistants

Medical assistants are infrequently required to work evening or weekend hours, although some practices may expect them to do so. In general, they work full time. The best industries for medical assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are as follows:

Offices of physicians: Here, medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $33,610.
Hospitals; state, local, and private: The median annual wage for medical assistants working in hospitals is $32,350.
Outpatient care centers: These medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $31,880.
Offices of other health practitioners: The median annual wage for medical assistants in these offices is $30,970.

The worst industries for medical assistants

The worst industries for medical assistants, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are:
-Outpatient care centers: These facilities offer limited medical services and are often found in strip malls or shopping centers. They tend to have high turnover rates and may not offer much room for advancement.
-Hospitals: While most medical assistants work in hospitals, some may find the environment too fast-paced or stressful. Others may not like the shift work that is often required in this setting.
–nursing homes and assisted living facilities: These facilities tend to be understaffed and underfunded, which can lead to long hours and low pay for medical assistants.

How to maximize your medical assistant salary

You’ve decided you want to become a medical assistant. That’s great news! Medical assistants are in high demand and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the occupation will grow by 29 percent from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations.

As you research medical assistant programs and schools, you may be wondering how much money you can make as a medical assistant. Salaries vary based on factors such as experience, location, and type of employer, but the good news is that medical assistants earn a solid wage.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,830.

Of course, your salary as a medical assistant will depend on a number of factors. Here are five tips to maximize your earnings potential:

1. Get experience: As with most occupations, your salary as a medical assistant will increase with experience. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with at least one year of experience in a health care setting. If you have relevant experience working as a certified nurse assistant or in another health care role, be sure to highlight this on your resume and during job interviews.

2. Consider location: Your salary as a medical assistant may be higher or lower depending on where you live and work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in metropolitan areas tend to earn more than those who work in nonmetropolitan areas. For example, the median annual salary for medical assistants in New York City is $43,610, while the median salary for those working in rural areas of Louisiana is $29,770.

3. Choose your employer wisely: The type of employer you choose can also impact your earnings potential as a medical assistant. Medical assistants who work in hospitals tend to earn more than those who work in physicians’ offices or other healthcare facilities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4. Consider overtime: Many employers offer their employees the opportunity to work overtime hours — often at time-and-a-half their regular hourly rate — during busy times or when there is increased patient volume. Working overtime can be a great way to boost your earnings as a medical assistant. Just be sure you are comfortable with the extra hours before agreeing to work them!

5. Get certified: While certification is not required to work as a medical assistant in most states, becoming certified may give you an edge when applying for jobs and result in higher earnings once you are employed