Medical Assistant Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour or More

Looking for a medical assistant job that pays $20 an hour or more? Here are a few great options to consider!

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What are medical assistant jobs?

Medical assistants are allied health professionals who support the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in outpatient clinics. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, including taking and recording patients’ medical histories, vital signs, and blood pressure; scheduling appointments; preparing patients for examination; providing instruction on medical procedures; drawing blood; performing routine laboratory tests; and handling medical records Many Medical Assistants have specialized training in areas such as X-ray technology or phlebotomy.

While most medical assistants have an associate degree or postsecondary certificate, some states allow them to work with a high school diploma or equivalent. Most states regulate medical assistants in some way, but requirements vary.

In 2020, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $38,860, or $18.71 per hour.1 Job prospects are expected to be good for those who complete formal education programs and earn certification.

What are the duties of a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals who perform both clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs, updating patient medical histories, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during examinations, and performing basic laboratory tests. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, handling billing and insurance paperwork, answering phones, transcribing medical reports, and maintaining patient files.

What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?

Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical assistants held about 686,600 jobs in 2018. Many of these professionals work in physicians’ offices, but job opportunities also existed in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other healthcare facilities. While no formal education is required for most medical assistant positions, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program. These programs typically last about 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer 2-year associate’s degree programs in medical assisting.

What is the job outlook for medical assistants?

The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 This growth is due to an aging population and greater emphasis on preventive care. As a result, more medical procedures will be performed, and more medical assistants will be needed to perform administrative and clinical duties.

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited October 17, 2018).

What are the average salaries for medical assistants?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720.

Medical assistants who work in physicians’ offices and clinics typically earn salaries that are lower than the national average. Those who work in hospitals tend to earn salaries that are higher than the national average.

Pay for medical assistants varies depending on experience, geographic location, and type of employer. Many medical assistants start out earning close to the national average salary. With experience, they can earn salaries that are above the national average.

What are the top-paying industries for medical assistants?

There are a number of industries where medical assistants can earn an hourly wage of $20 or more. The highest-paying industries for medical assistants are:

1. Outpatient care centers: $23.03
2. Home Health Care services: $22.50
3. General hospitals: $21.98
4. Offices of physicians: $21.75
5. Specialty hospitals: $20.86

What are the top-paying states for medical assistants?

Each state has its own cost of living, which in turn affects how much medical assistants earn. To compare apples to apples, we took a look at states with the highest average hourly wage for medical assistants adjusted for cost of living. Here are the 10 best-paying states for medical assistants, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. Massachusetts – $37.13
2. Connecticut – $36.76
3. Alaska – $34.80
4. Rhode Island – $33.60
5. Nevada – $32.50
6. New York – $31.88
7. Maryland – $30.78
8. New Jersey – $29.83
9. Virginia – $29.13
10 California – $28.93

What are the top-paying metropolitan areas for medical assistants?

The top-paying metropolitan areas for medical assistants, according to the BLS, are as follows:

-San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $33.65 per hour
-Salinas, CA: $32.54 per hour
-Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA: $31.93 per hour
-Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $30.52 per hour
-San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $29.96 per hour

What are the top-paying nonmetropolitan areas for medical assistants?

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, you may be wondering what the potential earning power is. Medical assistants earn a median hourly wage of $17.31, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, some medical assistants earn $20 an hour or more.

The top-paying nonmetropolitan areas for medical assistants, according to the BLS, are:

1. Southeast Alaska – $29.59
2. Northwest Minnesota – $28.93
3. Southwest Montana – $28.78
4. Central New Hampshire – $28.21
5. Southwest Virginia – $27.93

What are some tips for finding medical assistant jobs that pay $20 an hour or more?

There are a few things you can do to find medical assistant jobs that pay $20 an hour or more. The first is to research the going rate for medical assistants in your area. You can use sites like Salary.com or the Bureau of Labor Statistics to get an idea of what medical assistants in your area make.

Once you have an idea of what the going rate is, you can start looking for jobs that pay at least $20 an hour. You can use job search engines like Indeed.com or Monster.com, or you can check with local hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices to see if they have any open positions.

Another tip is to be willing to work overtime or take on additional responsibilities. Many medical assistant jobs come with benefits like health insurance and paid time off, so working overtime or taking on additional responsibilities can help you earn more money.

Finally, don’t be afraid to negotiate for a higher salary when you’re offered a job. If you have experience or education in a related field, be sure to point that out during the negotiation process. If you’re not sure how to negotiate for a higher salary, you can always consult with a human resources professional or an experienced medical assistant for guidance.