How Much Does a Medical Assistant in San Francisco Earn?

How Much Does a medical assistant in San Francisco Earn?

Medical assistants in San Francisco earn a median salary of $33,510 per year. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

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Job description

Most Medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, or outpatient clinics. Although most of their time is spent performing administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance matters, they also handle some clinical tasks, such as taking patients’ medical histories and recording vital signs.

In small practices, Medical Assistants might take on additional responsibilities, such as handling correspondence, stocking supplies, checking incoming laboratory results for accuracy, and handling all insurance reimbursement issues. In large practices and hospitals, medical assistants usually specialize in one or more areas of the office. For example, some may work solely in the business office handling billing; others may spend their time in the examination room taking patient histories or performing basic laboratory tests under the supervision of a nurse or physician.”

Duties

Medical assistants in San Francisco typically perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate, although some have completed formal training programs at community colleges, technical schools, or 4-year colleges. Many medical assistants are certified by professional organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants.

The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, but they generally include taking and recording patients’ vital signs and medical histories, drawing blood, preparing patients for examination, assisting with office laboratory procedures, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding for insurance purposes. Some medical assistants also may perform clerical duties such as answering telephones, taking dictation, and handling correspondence.

Qualifications

Education and Training
There are a number of ways to become a medical assistant in San Francisco. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer certificate or diploma programs that can be completed in as little as a few months. Some of these programs may even offer on-the-job training to help you get started in your career.

If you choose to pursue a more formal education, you can earn an associate’s degree from one of the several medical assisting programs offered at local colleges and universities. These two-year programs will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to work in a variety of healthcare settings.

Experience
While not required, prior experience working in a medical office or other healthcare setting can be helpful when seeking employment as a medical assistant in San Francisco. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have some experience working with patients and handling administrative tasks.

Salary

The average salary for a medical assistant in San Francisco is $21.73 per hour. The average Medical Assistant salary in San Francisco is $45,390 as of May 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $41,190 and $50,990.

Certification

Medical assistants in San Francisco with certification earn an average wage of $21.50 per hour, or $44,725 per year. The top 10% earn $29.17 per hour, or $60,625 annually. The bottom 10% earn $15.38 per hour, or $31,975 yearly.

Career outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical assistants in San Francisco is $33,610 per year. The top 10% of earners make more than $45,190 per year, and the bottom 10% make less than $26,840 per year.

Education

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers several education programs for medical assistants. Among these are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) program and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) program. Both programs require graduation from an accredited medical assisting program, completion of a written examination, and completion of a clinical skills examination.

The CMA credential is valid for 60 months, after which time recertification is required. To recertify, CMAs must complete continuing education credits and submit proof of employment as a medical assistant during the previous five years. The RMA credential is valid for life, provided that the credential holder remains in good standing with the AAMA.

Training

The average salary for a medical assistant in San Francisco is $50,000 per year. The median salary for medical assistants in the Bay Area is $51,000. Medical assistants in San Francisco earn an average of $2,000 more per year than their counterparts in the rest of the country.

Experience

In general, the more experience you have, the more you can expect to earn. Medical assistants with 1 to 3 years of experience in San Francisco average $19.17 per hour, or $39,940 per year. Those with 4 to 6 years of experience earn $20.62 per hour, or $42,920 per year. Medical assistants with 7 to 9 years of experience earn $21.67 per hour, or $45,160 per year. Experienced medical assistants (10 years or more) earn $22.92 per hour, or $47,760 per year.

Locations

San Francisco, California

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for medical assistants in San Francisco was $55,770 in 2017, which was significantly higher than the statewide mean wage of $47,860.