What is the Starting Pay for a Certified Medical Assistant?

The average certified medical assistant starting salary is $33,610 per year, but may range from $31,880 to $35,340.

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Certified Medical assistants An Overview

Medical Assistants are unlicensed multi-skilled health professionals who perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or other health care provider. They work mainly in outpatient settings such as physician’s offices, community health centers, and urgent care clinics. Some medical assistants also work in hospitals and other inpatient facilities. Medical assistants who have completed a postsecondary education program typically earn more than those who have not.

While most states do not require certification for medical assistants, many employers prefer or require certification as evidence of a medical assistant’s competency. The American Association of Medical Assistants offers the Certified medical assistant (CMA) credential. To earn the CMA credential, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a national exam administered by the Certifying Board of the AAMA.

The median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,480. Most medical assistants work full time, although about 1 in 4 worked part time in 2017. Because many medical offices are open evenings and weekends, some medical assistants also work afternoon, evening, or overnight shifts. Many managers of physician practices prefer to hire certified medical assistants because they have demonstrated their commitment to their career by completing an accredited educational program and passing a national examination.

The Duties of a Certified Medical Assistant

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are an important part of the health care team. They work alongside physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals to provide quality patient care.

CMAs perform a variety of duties, including taking medical histories and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with medical procedures, and providing patient instruction. In addition, CMAs may also perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records and billing insurance companies.

The duties of a CMA can vary depending on the employer and the state in which they work. However, all CMAs must complete a accredited training program and pass a certification exam before they can begin working.

The Education and Training Required to Become a Certified Medical Assistant

In order to become a certified medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited educational program. These programs can be found at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities. Once you have completed an accredited program, you will then need to pass a certification exam in order to become certified. Many employers will require that you be certified in order to be considered for a position.

The starting pay for a certified medical assistant can vary depending on a number of factors, such as geographical location, type of employer, and years of experience. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2018. This means that half of all medical assistants earned less than this amount and half earned more.

The Certification Process for Medical Assistants

According to the Bureau of LaborStatistics, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,090.

The Starting Salary of a Certified Medical Assistant

The starting salary of a certified medical assistant can vary depending on the state in which you work, your level of experience, and the type of facility in which you are employed. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for medical assistants is $16.05 per hour, or $33,380 per year.

The Job Outlook for Certified Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand across the United States According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for certified medical assistants is expected to grow by 23% from 2018 to 2028. This is much faster than the average for all other occupations.

The Benefits of Being a Certified Medical Assistant

As a Certified Medical Assistant, you could earn a median salary of $33,610 per year, or $16.17 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Medical assistants with certification may enjoy greater job prospects and earn higher wages than those without certification. In addition, some employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Certification shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks required of a medical assistant.

There are many reasons to become a certified medical assistant. The benefits of being a certified medical assistant include:

-You could earn a higher salary than non-certified medical assistants.
-You may have better job prospects than non-certified medical assistants.
-You may be able to work in more advanced roles than non-certified medical assistants.
-Your employer may reimburse you for the cost of your certification exam.

The Disadvantages of Being a Certified Medical Assistant

While there are many advantages to becoming a certified medical assistant, there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of before making the decision to pursue this career.

One of the biggest disadvantages of being a certified medical assistant is the starting pay. Certified medical assistants typically earn much less than other healthcare professionals with similar levels of education and training. The average starting salary for a certified medical assistant is just $28,860 per year, which is nearly $10,000 less than the average starting salary for a registered nurse.

Another disadvantage of being a certified medical assistant is the limited job prospects. Although the demand for healthcare services is expected to grow in the coming years, the number of new jobs for certified medical assistants is expected to remain relatively flat. This is due in part to the fact that many of the duties performed by medical assistants can now be performed by less-expensive non-certified staff, such as administrative assistants or office clerks.

Finally, certified medical assistants may find themselves working long hours in stressful environments. Due to the nature of their work, they are often required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may also be on call or be required to work overtime on short notice.

Certified Medical Assistants- The Bottom Line

The average certified medical assistant starting pay is $15.02 per hour. Annual salaries range from $29,460 to $39,490, with the top 10% of earners making more than $43,590 per year.