How Much Do Medical Assistants Make? National Average Salary for Medical Assistants

How Much Do Medical assistants Make? National Average Salary for Medical AssistantsMedical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They perform a variety of tasks to support doctors and other medical professionals. If you’re thinking of becoming a medical assistant you’re probably wondering how much they make. Here’s a look at the national average salary for medical assistants.

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National Average Salary for Medical Assistants

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national Median hourly wage for medical assistants was $16.05 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent made $10.46 or less, while the highest 10 percent made $24.95 or more.

The Role of Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are playing an increasingly important role in our health care system. They are the link between patients and the rest of the medical team, providing crucial support in both administrative and clinical tasks.

Medical assistants perform a wide variety of duties, from scheduling appointments and taking patients’ medical histories to preparing them for examination, assisting with procedures, and providing post-operative care. They also play a vital role in maintaining the efficient operation of the medical office or clinic.

With the ever-increasing demand for health care services, medical assistants are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

While many medical assistant positions do not require formal education beyond a high school diploma, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assistant program. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer associate degree programs in medical assisting.

The Education and Training Required to Become a Medical Assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities. They typically take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or diploma. Some programs also offer an associate’s degree in medical assisting.

After completing a medical assistant program, you will need to obtain certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for certification, you must pass the Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be able to use the credential “CMA” after your name.

Some states also have certification requirements for medical assistants. In these states, you may need to pass a state-specific exam in order to be certified. Check with your state’s Board of Medicine to see if this is required in your state.

The Skills and Knowledge Required of Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health care professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient settings such as medical offices and clinics. They perform both clinical and administrative duties, such as patient history taking, vital signs measurements, phlebotomy, EKG administration, laboratory specimen testing and collection, X-ray film exposure, medical record maintenance, appointment scheduling, insurance billing and coding, and general office duties.

In order to perform these duties effectively and efficiently, medical assistants must have a solid foundation of knowledge in general office procedures, as well as specific knowledge in anatomy and physiology, Medical Terminology pharmacology, clinical medicine, diagnostic testing procedures, lab specimen collection and preparation for testing, X-ray film exposure techniques, and computer applications used in the medical office. In addition to this technical knowledge base, medical assistants must also possess strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively with patients who may be anxious or concerned about their health status or treatment. They must also have good communication skills to relay information accurately between patients and physicians.

While not required by all employers, certification may give job seekers a competitive edge when seeking employment as a medical assistant. Certification is available through several organizations including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for certification exams offered by these organizations candidates must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a criminal background check.

The duties of a Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants are responsible for providing clerical and clinical support to medical staff in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Their duties vary depending on the size and location of the facility in which they work, but may include scheduling appointments, taking patient medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during the exam, and handling laboratory specimens. Medical Assistants must be able to work well under pressure, as they often have to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

The working conditions of a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. They typically work under the supervision of a licensed health care provider, such as a physician or registered nurse. Duties of medical assistants vary depending on state law and specific job duties, but can include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, providing patient education, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, performing basic laboratory tests, scheduling appointments, and handling correspondence. Medical assistants may also be responsible for billing and coding, ordering supplies, and managing the medical office schedule.

The benefits and drawbacks of being a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are vital members of any healthcare team. They work alongside physicians and other medical staff to provide patient care, schedule appointments, manage medical records and perform administrative duties.

The median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that half of all medical assistants earned more than this amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent of medical assistants earned less than $25,870, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720.

Salaries for medical assistants vary depending on a number of factors, including experience, location and employer type. Here’s a closer look at some of these factors:

Experience: Medical assistants with more experience tend to earn higher salaries than those who are just starting out. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for medical assistants with one to four years of experience was $32,480 in 2017. For those with five to nine years of experience, the median salary was $35,060. And for those with 10 or more years of experience, the median salary was $39,550.

Location: Salaries for medical assistants also vary depending on where they work. According to the BLS, the states with the highest median annual salaries for medical assistants as of 2017 were:
-Alaska ($43,610)
-Washington ($41,420)
– Massachusetts ($40,380)
– California ($39,960)
– Connecticut ($39850)
The states with the lowest median annual salaries were:
– South Dakota ($30290)
– Mississippi ($30690)
– Louisiana ($30760)
– West Virginia ($30870)
– Montana ($)30990)

Employer type: Medical assistants who work in hospitals tend to earn higher salaries than those who work in other types of healthcare facilities. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for medical assistants working in hospitals as of 2017 was $37180. For those working in outpatient care centers, the median salary was $34160. And for those working in physicians’ offices

The job outlook for Medical Assistants

The job outlook for medical assistants is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in this field will grow by 29 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing number of medical procedures that are being performed, as well as the aging baby-boomer population. More medical assistants will be needed to perform administrative and clinical duties in doctor’s offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

There is a lot of competition for jobs as medical assistants, especially in larger metropolitan areas. Those who have completed an accredited program and have gained experience in the field will have the best job opportunities.

The salary range for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, but they generally include scheduling appointments, taking and recording medical histories and vital signs, drawing blood, preparing patients for examinations, and dispensing medications. They also may instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare laboratory specimens for examination, authorize prescription refills as directed by physicians, and telephone prescriptions to pharmacies.

Most medical assistants have completed postsecondary education programs that last from 1 to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree. Some states have approved formal medical assisting programs that lead to certification; however, certification is not required for entry-level positions in most states. In addition, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal training program.

FAQs about Medical Assistants

-What does a Medical Assistant do?
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who performs administrative and clinical tasks in order to keep medical practices running smoothly. Duties can include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking and recording patients’ vital signs, updating Medical records and answering phones.

-What is the average salary for a Medical Assistant?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2018. Salary will vary based on experience, location, and employer.

-Is there a difference between a Medical Assistant and a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)?
A certified medical assistant has completed an accredited program and passed a certification exam, such as the one offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. In some states, CMAs may have additional responsibilities, such as being able to perform basic laboratory tests.

-How do I become a Medical Assistant?
Most medical assistants have completed postsecondary education programs that last from one semester to two years. These programs are widely available at community colleges and technical schools. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants.