Who Makes More Money: Medical Assistants or Dental Assistants?

If you’re wondering who makes more money, Medical assistants or dental assistants, the answer may surprise you. While both careers offer good salaries and job outlooks, Medical Assistants tend to make slightly more than dental assistants.

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Who makes more money- medical assistants or dental assistants?

In the United States both medical and dental assistants make a comfortable living. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017, while dental assistants earned a median salary of $38,660.

However, there are some factors that can affect earnings. For instance, those who work in metropolitan areas typically earn more than those working in rural areas. In addition, medical assistants who have completed formal education programs and have certification may earn more than those without these credentials.

Overall, both medical and dental assistants are able to earn a good living in the United States. Factors such as location and experience can affect earnings, but both groups generally earn similar salaries.

The average salary of a medical assistant

The average salary of a medical assistant is $14.60 per hour. The average salary of a dental assistant is $17.00 per hour. Therefore, dental assistants make more money than medical assistants.

The average salary of a dental assistant

The average salary for a dental assistant is $36,642 per year in the United States, according to Payscale.com. Dental assistants in the 10th percentile earn an average of $27,330 annually, while those in the 90th percentile can make $48,490 per year. Medical assistants earn an average of $32,890 per year.

The duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are health care professionals who perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work closely with physicians and other health care workers to provide patient care.

Medical assistants are involved in many aspects of patient care. They may take medical histories, prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during the examination, and schedule appointments. They also may educate patients about their health conditions and medications. In addition, medical assistants may perform basic lab tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. Some medical assistants take X rays and remove sutures (stitches).

Dental assistants perform many duties. They generally work alongside dentists. Their duties include providing patient care, taking X rays, making dental impressions for crowns and bridges, removing sutures, applying anesthesia to gums or teeth, and helping patients feel comfortable during dental procedures. Dental assistants also may schedule appointments, keep records of dental treatments, receive payments from patients, and supply patients with information about dental hygiene and oral health care.

The duties of a dental assistant

Dental assistants held about 297,000 jobs in 2016. The median annual wage for dental assistants was $37,360 in May 2016. 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 $25,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,470.

The training required for a medical assistant

To become a medical assistant you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to complete an accredited medical assisting program. These programs typically last about one year and include both classroom and clinical instruction. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a certification exam to earn your credential.

The training required for a dental assistant

Dental assistants need to complete a dental assisting program, which typically takes about one year to complete. Medical assistants, on the other hand, only need to complete a certificate or diploma program, which can be completed in as little as nine months. Therefore, it takes less time to become a medical assistant than it does to become a dental assistant.

The job outlook for medical assistants

The job outlook for medical assistants is quite positive. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. This growth is attributed to several factors, including an aging population and advancements in medical technology.

As the baby-boom generation ages, there will be an increasing need for health care services. This generation is also more likely to retain their teeth than previous generations, so there will be a growing demand for dental services as well. In addition, as new technologies are developed and more procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, medical assistants will be needed to help prepare patients for these procedures and provide post-operative care.

The job outlook for dental assistants

The job outlook for dental assistants is very good. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Dental offices will increasingly use dental assistants to perform routine tasks so that the dentist can see more patients.

Most dental assistants have an associate degree or postsecondary certificate. Many programs can be completed in less than 1 year, and some may last 2 years. Some states require dental assistants to be licensed or certified, but requirements vary.

Applications for medical assisting programs have increased in recent years as baby boomers age and older Americans keep more of their teeth than did previous generations.

Which career is right for you- medical assistant or dental assistant?

The job outlook for medical assistants and dental assistants is positive, with both professions expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026. But which career is right for you? Here’s a look at the similarities and differences between these two rewarding health care careers.

Both medical assistants and dental assistants work under the supervision of licensed health care professionals, such as physicians or dentists. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep their respective office running smoothly.

Medical assistants are responsible for many of the same tasks as dental assistants, such as taking patient medical histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding insurance forms. However, they also perform basic laboratory tests and collect and prepare patients’ specimens for laboratory analysis. In addition, they may give injections and assist with minor surgical procedures.

Dental assistants have many of the same responsibilities as medical assistants, such as scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding insurance forms. However, they also take impressions of patients’ teeth, make temporary crowns and bridges, expose X-rays, apply sealants and fluoride treatments to patients’ teeth, instruct patients in proper oral hygiene techniques, and keep treatment records.

Both medical assistants and dental assistants need to be detail oriented and able to work well under pressure. They must be able to multitask efficiently and have excellent customer service skills. In addition, both groups must be proficient in basic office software applications. Because they work with sensitive patient information on a daily basis, both medical assistants and dental assistants must be able to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

medically-oriented tasks than dental assistant duties