How Much Does a Medical Assistant With an Associates Degree Earn?

How much does a medical assistant with an associates degree earn? The answer may surprise you. We’ve compiled data from across the web to give you an idea of how much you can expect to make.

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What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in an outpatient setting. Medical assistants perform a variety of clerical, administrative, and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of Medical Assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and type of the practice and the needs and preferences of the physician or health practitioner they work for. In small practices, medical assistants often do a little bit of everything, from scheduling appointments to billing patients to handling correspondence. In larger practices, medical assistants are often assigned specific tasks. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate or diploma from an accredited medical assisting program; some have associates degrees in medical assisting.

What is an associates degree?

An associate’s degree is a two-year academic degree earned at a community college, trade school, or technical school. Many students pursue an associate’s degree before completing a bachelor’s degree, although it is also possible to earn an associate’s degree after earning a bachelor’s degree.

How much does a medical assistant with an associates degree earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants with an associates degree earn a median salary of $34,800 per year.

What are the duties of a medical assistant?

The duties of a medical assistant are generally administrative and clerical in nature, but may also include some clinical duties. Depending on the size and type of medical facility in which they work, medical assistants may be responsible for scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, handling correspondence, stocking supplies, preparing examination rooms, and occasionally taking laboratory specimens or performing basic laboratory tests. Many medical assistants take and record patients’ vital signs and histories. They also instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare them for examinations, collect blood and other samples for testing, remove stitches and change dressings.

What is the job outlook for medical assistants?

The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2017. The top 10 percent earned more than $49,380, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $24,560.

What are the education requirements for medical assistants?

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate degree program in medical assisting. Some states require medical assistants to be certified; however, certification is not required in all states. The requirements for certification vary by state.

What are the skills needed to be a medical assistant?

There are a variety of skills needed to be a medical assistant. Below are some of the most important skills needed:
-Type 40 or more words per minute
-Be detail oriented with excellent organizational skills
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills
-Enjoy working with people and have a helpful, positive demeanor
-Be able to multitask and stay calm under pressure
-Basic computer skills
-Flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and schedules
-Knowledge of medical terminology

What are the certification requirements for medical assistants?

To become a certified medical assistant, you must complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass a national certification exam.

What are the salary ranges for medical assistants?

There is a wide range of salaries for medical assistants, depending on their qualifications, experience, and geographical location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720.

What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?

There are many benefits to being a medical assistant. One of the most important is that medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for providing support to doctors and other medical professionals by performing administrative and clinical tasks.

Medical assistants can earn a competitive salary, especially if they have an associate’s degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants is $33,610. That means that half of all medical assistants earn more than $33,610 per year, and half earn less.

One of the reasons why medical assistants earn a good salary is because they are in demand. 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. This growth is due to the increasing needs of an aging population for healthcare services.