What Is the Medical Assistant Pay Rate in 2020?
Contents
- What is the average medical assistant pay rate?
- How does the medical assistant pay rate compare to other professions?
- How does the medical assistant pay rate vary by experience level?
- How does the medical assistant pay rate vary by geographic region?
- How does the medical assistant pay rate vary by employer type?
- What factors affect medical assistant pay rates?
- What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
- What are the challenges of being a medical assistant?
- How can medical assistants improve their pay rate?
- What is the outlook for medical assistant pay rates?
The 2020 medical assistant pay rate is $16.00 per hour. This is an increase of $0.50 from the 2019 pay rate of $15.50 per hour.
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What is the average medical assistant pay rate?
As of May 2020, the average pay rate for Medical assistants was $16.02 per hour, or $33,610 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer.
How does the medical assistant pay rate compare to other professions?
In 2020, the median pay for a medical assistant was $17.31 per hour, or $35,980 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that half of all Medical Assistants made more than this amount, and half made less. The lowest 10% of medical assistants earned less than $11.67 per hour, or $24,290 per year. The highest 10% earned more than $24.63 per hour, or $51,290 per year.
The median pay for all occupations in 2020 was $37,060 per year, or $17.78 per hour. This means that medical assistants made about 94% as much as the average worker in America. The BLS groups medical assistants with other healthcare support occupations such as home health aides and dental assistants. These occupations had a median pay of $19.21 per hour, or $39,920 per year in 2020.
Medical assistants typically need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a brief period of on-the-job training before they can begin working. Many medical assistants also choose to get certified by a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Some states also have specific requirements for medical assistants
How does the medical assistant pay rate vary by experience level?
Just as with any other profession, the medical assistant pay rate varies based on experience. Medical assistants who have just completed their training and certification can expect to earn on the lower end of the pay scale. With more experience, medical assistants become more marketable and can command a higher salary. The following is a breakdown of medical assistant pay rates by experience level.
Entry level: $30,000-$32,000
Medical assistants with 1-3 years of experience: $33,000-$35,000
Medical assistants with 4-6 years of experience: $36,000-$38,000
Medical assistants with 7-9 years of experience: $39,000-$41,000
Medical assistants with 10 or more years of experience: $42,000-$45,000
How does the medical assistant pay rate vary by geographic region?
The 2020 median pay for medical assistants was higher in some U.S. states and metropolitan areas than in others. For example, medical assistants in California and Massachusetts earned annual median wages of $33,610 and $32,480, respectively, which were both well above the national median wage for this occupation of $30,980. In contrast, medical assistants in Mississippi and Louisiana earned median annual wages of $28,490 and $29,280, respectively.
How does the medical assistant pay rate vary by employer type?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019. The median annual wage was $33,610, meaning that half of medical assistants made more than this amount and half made less. Wages ranged from the lowest 10 percent, who made less than $23,540, to the highest 10 percent, who made more than $49,840.
The majority of medical assistants worked in physicians’ offices, where they earned a mean annual wage of $35,180. Those employed in outpatient care centers had a slightly higher pay rate at $35,980 per year on average. Medical assistants working in hospitals had a slightly lower pay rate at an average of $34,370 per year.
Medical assistants who worked in general medical and surgical hospitals had a mean annual wage of $34,600. Those employed by specialty hospitals other than psychiatric and substance abuse facilities had a slightly higher pay rate at an average of $35,040 per year. Medical assistants employed by physician’s offices had the highest pay rate among all employer types at an average of $35,830 per year.
What factors affect medical assistant pay rates?
The medical assistant pay rate varies depending on location, experience, and other factors.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,560, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,540.
Pay rates also vary depending on the type of medical facility where a medical assistant works. For example, those who work in physicians’ offices earn a median salary of $33,610 per year, while those who work in hospitals earn a median salary of $36,950 per year.
The amount of experience a medical assistant has also affects their pay rate. Those who have just completed their training may start out at a lower pay rate than those who have been working as a medical assistant for several years. However, with experience comes an increased chance for advancement and higher pay.
What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
There are many benefits of being a medical assistant. Some of these include a stable career, good pay, and the ability to help others.
Medical assistants are in high demand due to the aging population and the increasing number of people with chronic conditions. The median pay for medical assistants was $16.00 per hour in May 2019, and the job outlook is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1
In addition to providing stability and good pay, medical assistants also have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping others. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that keep doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, taking medical histories, documenting patients’ vital signs, preparing blood for laboratory tests, administering medications and injections, and drawing blood. Medical assistants also educate patients about their health condition and support them in making healthy lifestyle choices.
What are the challenges of being a medical assistant?
While the median hourly pay for a medical assistant was $15.61 in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pay rates can vary based on a number of factors, including years of experience, location, and type of employer. For example, medical assistants who work in physicians’ offices earn a median hourly wage of $16.05, while those who work in hospitals earn $14.76 per hour.
The BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging Baby Boomer population is expected to drive demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. Additionally, as physicians increasingly group together in large practices, they will require more support staff, such as medical assistants, to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, freeing up their time to see more patients.
How can medical assistants improve their pay rate?
The medical assistant pay rate is determined by a number of factors, including experience, location, and education. In 2020, the average medical assistant pay rate is $16.05 per hour, or $33,580 per year.
Medical assistants with more experience and higher levels of education can earn higher pay rates. Those who work in metropolitan areas may also earn more than those who work in rural areas. Additionally, some states have higher average medical assistant pay rates than others.
There are a number of ways that medical assistants can improve their pay rate. First, they can seek out opportunities to increase their experience and education. Medical assistants who are willing to relocate to metropolitan areas may also be able to earn a higher wage. Finally, medical assistants can research the average medical assistant pay rate in their state to ensure that they are being paid fairly.
What is the outlook for medical assistant pay rates?
As of 2020, the median pay for medical assistants was $18.58 per hour, or $38,600 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This pay rate can vary depending on experience, geographical location, and type of employer.
The BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population and continued expansion of health insurance coverage are expected to drive demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants.
As the healthcare industry continues to grow, medical assistant pay rates are expected to rise as well. In order to attract and retain quality employees, many employers are offering competitive salary and benefit packages. With a little research, you should be able to find a position that meets your needs in terms of pay and job satisfaction.