Who Makes More – CNAs or Medical Assistants?
Contents
- Who makes more – CNAs or medical assistants?
- The difference between CNAs and medical assistants
- The duties of a CNA
- The duties of a medical assistant
- The training required for a CNA
- The training required for a medical assistant
- The job outlook for CNAs
- The job outlook for medical assistants
- The salary of a CNA
- The salary of a medical assistant
Who Makes More – CNAs or Medical Assistants? We compare pay, job duties, and education requirements to find out which medical career is right for you.
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Who makes more – CNAs or medical assistants?
In general, Medical assistants make slightly more than CNAs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Medical Assistants was $32,480 in 2018, while the median annual salary for CNAs was $28,530. However, there is quite a bit of variation in salaries for both positions, depending on factors such as location and experience. For example, medical assistants in California tend to make much more than those in other states – the median annual salary in California was $39,860 in 2018. Similarly, CNAs with more experience tend to make more than those just starting out.
The difference between CNAs and medical assistants
Certified nurse assistants (CNAs) and medical assistants are both important members of the healthcare team, but their roles are quite different. CNAs provide direct patient care, while medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks. Here is a closer look at the duties of each profession and what they can earn.
CNAs are responsible for providing basic care to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. They also take vital signs, give treatments and collect specimens. Some CNAs work in long-term care facilities, while others find employment in hospitals or home health agencies In order to become a CNA, students must complete a state-approved training program and pass a competency exam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for CNAs was $28,530 in 2019.
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in healthcare settings. Their duties may include taking medical histories, scheduling appointments, checking patients in and out of the office, assisting with examinations and procedures, taking vitals signs and handling laboratory testing. Many medical assistants have an associate degree from an accredited program, although some employers will hire candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent if they have related work experience. The BLS reports that medical assistants earned a median annual salary of $34,800 in 2019.
The duties of a CNA
The duties of a CNA generally include providing basic patient care, such as bathing and feeding, as well as taking vital signs. They may also assist with medical procedures and provide emotional support to patients and their families. Medical assistants, on the other hand, have a more wide-ranging set of duties that can include both clinical and administrative tasks. Clinical tasks may include taking medical histories and scheduling appointments, while administrative duties may include handling billing and insurance paperwork.
The duties of a medical assistant
The duties of a medical assistant may vary depending on the size, location, and type of healthcare facility in which they work. However, there are some general duties that are common among most medical assistants. These duties include taking and recording patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. They may also collect and prepare laboratory specimens for testing and perform basic laboratory tests onsite. In addition, medical assistants may give patients injections or immunizations under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. They also may schedule and confirm appointments, assist with billing and coding, and maintain patients’ health records.
The training required for a CNA
To become a CNA, you will need to undergo some training. This training can be done in a variety of ways, including taking classes at a community college or through a hospital or nursing home. Once you have completed your training, you will need to take an exam to become certified.
The training required for a medical assistant
Education and Training Requirements
The majority of medical assistants have completed postsecondary education, which can include completing a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree from a medical assisting program at a community college, technical school, or vocational school. Some states require that medical assistants complete an accredited program to be eligible to take the certification exam. A small number of medical assistants are trained on the job.
Employers usually prefer to hire candidates who have completed a postsecondary education program. In addition, many employers are requiring certification. Candidates can become certified through professional organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Healthcare Association (NHA), and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
Therefore, those who want to enter this field should consider completing an accredited postsecondary education program and become certified through one of the professional organizations.
The job outlook for CNAs
The job outlook for CNAs is good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of CNAs is expected to grow 11 percent between 2016 and 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The aging population will continue to drive demand for nursing assistants in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The job outlook for medical assistants
The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. They are in high demand due to the growing healthcare industry. Medical assistants can earn a good wage and benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for medical assistants was $15.61 per hour in May 2018. The job outlook for medical assistants is much better than the outlook for other occupations. The projected growth rate for medical assistants is 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
The salary of a CNA
In order to become a CNA, you must first complete a state-approved education program and pass a competency exam. Once you have completed these requirements, you will be placed on the state registry and will be eligible to begin working. The average hourly wage for a CNA in the United States is $12.50, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This works out to an annual salary of $26,000.
The salary of a medical assistant
In the United States, the median salary for a medical assistant was $33,610 per year, as of May 2018. This means that half of all medical assistants earned less than this amount, and half earned more. The lowest 10 percent of earners made less than $24,280 per year, while the highest 10 percent made more than $46,480.