How Much Does a Medical Office Assistant Make Per Hour?

Are you thinking about becoming a medical office assistant? If so, you may be wondering how much you can expect to earn per hour.

In this blog post, we’ll answer that question and give you some additional information about medical office assistant salaries.

So, how much does a medical office assistant make per hour? Read on to find out!

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Introduction

Medical office assistants are in high demand due to the growing healthcare industry. They perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to support medical staff and patients. medical office assistants typically earn an hourly wage, with the average salary falling between $14 and $18 per hour. Salary can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.

What Does a Medical Office Assistant Do?

Medical office assistants are administrative professionals who work in the medical field. They perform a variety of tasks, such as scheduling appointments, handling patient records, billing and coding insurance forms, and answering phone calls. Some medical office assistants also perform clinical tasks, such as taking vital signs or giving injections.

Medical office assistants typically need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may require postsecondary education or certification. Most medical office assistants complete on-the-job training, which usually lasts for a few weeks or months.

Medical Office Assistant Salary

Medical office assistants are in charge of handling many of the day-to-day administrative tasks in a medical office. Their duties can include anything from scheduling appointments and handling patient billing to maintaining medical records and ordering supplies. Because they play such a vital role in keeping a medical office running smoothly, medical office assistants are usually well compensated for their work.

The average hourly wage for a medical office assistant is $16.50, or $34,560 per year. However, salaries can range anywhere from $10 to $25 per hour, or $20,800 to $52,000 per year. The amount a medical office assistant makes will depend on factors such as their level of experience, the type of medical facility they work in, and the geographical location of their job.

How Much Does a Medical Office Assistant Make Per Hour?

In the United States medical office assistants make an average of $16.24 per hour, or $33,760 per year. Salaries can range from $9.96 per hour, or $20,810 per year, up to $27.50 per hour, or $57,120 per year. The most common hourly rate is between $12.50 and $19.96.

Factors That Affect Medical Office Assistant Salary

There are several factors that can affect how much a medical office assistant makes per hour. The first is experience. A medical office assistant who has been working in the field for many years will likely make more per hour than someone who is just starting out. The second is education. A medical office assistant who has a degree from an accredited program will likely make more per hour than someone who does not. The third is location. A medical office assistant who works in a large city will likely make more per hour than someone who works in a smaller town. Finally, the type of employer can also affect medical office assistant salary. A medical office assistant who works for a large hospital will likely make more per hour than someone who works for a small private practice.

The Future of Medical Office Assistants

The medical office assistant field is growing rapidly, and the demand for qualified workers is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. As the baby boomer generation ages and more people have access to health insurance the need for medical office assistants will increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of medical office assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations.1

With such high growth projected in the field, now is a great time to consider a career as a medical office assistant. If you’re wondering how much you could potentially earn in this role, read on to learn more about medical office assistant salary and career outlook.

Medical office assistants are vital members of any healthcare team. They perform a variety of administrative tasks that keep the wheels turning in doctor’s offices, clinics, and other medical facilities. From greeting patients and scheduling appointments to handling billing and coding insurance forms, medical office assistants play an important role in ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

While their duties may vary depending on the size and type of facility they work in, most medical office assistants have similar job responsibilities, which include:

Answering phones and directing calls
Scheduling appointments
Greeting patients and checking them in for their appointment
Verifying insurance coverage and benefits
Preparing patient charts
Handling correspondence
Billing and coding insurance forms
Maintaining medical records
Making referrals to other healthcare providers

How to Become a Medical Office Assistant

Medical office assistants are important members of the healthcare team who provide administrative support to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. They typically work in outpatient clinics, physician’s offices, and hospitals. If you’re interested in a career as a medical office assistant, here’s what you need to know.

Most medical office assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education or certification. High school students interested in this career can take classes in computer science, math, and English to prepare for the administrative side of the job. Many medical office assistant programs are available at community colleges and technical schools and typically take one year to complete. These programs often include an externship component that gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience.

Once you have your education or training, you’ll need to pass a certification exam to earn your credential. The Certification Board for Medical Office Assistants offers the Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMOMA) designation. To be eligible for the exam, you must have completed an accredited medical office assistant program or have at least one year of full-time work experience in a medical office setting. Once you pass the exam, you’ll need to renew your credential every three years by completing continuing education credits.

Salaries for medical office assistants vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer type. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for medical office assistants was $17.36 in May 2019. The BLS also projects that employment of medical office assistants will grow 22% from 2019-2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in healthcare but don’t want to go through the lengthy process of becoming a doctor or nurse, becoming a medical office assistant is a great option. With proper training and certification, you can start working in this rewarding field in as little as one year.

Medical Office Assistant Certification

How much does a medical office assistant make per hour? This question doesn’t have a straightforward answer because compensation for this position varies based on experience, education, and geographic location. However, we can take a look at some data to get a general idea.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly wage for medical secretaries was $17.36 in May 2019. The top 10 percent earned more than $24.33, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $11.71. Medical secretaries with 1 to 3 years of experience typically start at $14 to $15 per hour, while those with 4 to 6 years of experience earn around $17 per hour on average. Those with 7 to 9 years of experience earn an average of $19 per hour, and those with 10 or more years of experience earn an average of $21 per hour.

Those who have completed a medical office assistant certification program may be able to earn a higher wage. In general, medical office assistants with certification can earn up to $22 per hour, depending on their level of experience and geographic location.

Conclusion

In conclusion, medical office assistants make a mean hourly wage of $16.19. However, those in the 75th percentile can expect to make $18.73 per hour, while those in the 25th percentile make an hourly wage of $14.21. Salaries will vary based on experience, education, geographical location, and other factors.

FAQs

1. How much does a medical office assistant make per hour?

Medical office assistants typically earn an hourly wage of $12-$18, or an annual salary of $24,000-$36,000. Pay rates may vary based on experience, education, location, and employer.

2. How many hours does a medical office assistant work?

Most medical office assistants work full-time hours, although some may work part-time or have irregular schedules. The typical workweek is 40 hours long.

3. What are the responsibilities of a medical office assistant?

Medical office assistants typically perform administrative and clerical tasks such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, filing Medical records and billing patients. They may also be responsible for clinical tasks such as taking patient vital signs and administering injections.