How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make

What is the salary for medical assistants?

As with most professions, the salary range can vary for medical assistants based on their level of experience and education, whether they’re credentialed, their skill level, and the geographic location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay was $27,430 for all medical assistants in the United States in 2007. Those working in hospitals earned the highest salaries at $29,840. Those in outpatient care centers earned an average of $28,660. Medical assistants working in doctors’ offices had an average annual salary of $28,460. Other health practitioner offices, such as podiatrists and chiropractors, paid an average of $25,170.

Is the job of a medical office assistant in high demand?

As with most health care professions, medical assistants are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that between 2006 and 2016 medical office assistant employment will grow by 35 percent. This rate of growth is far above the growth of most professions.

Learn more about medical assistant training.

With health care offices and facilities constantly looking for ways to cut expenses, medical assistants are increasingly needed as they can provide work for lower pay than a nurse or doctor. These professionals help streamline processes in physician’s offices and lighten the workload for doctors and nurses so they can see more patients in less time. Another reason medical assistants are increasingly needed is that as the baby boomers hit retirement age, they need more medical care so doctor’s offices may have increased patient loads.

Obtaining formal training either by obtaining an associate’s degree or by going through a medical assistant certificate program improves one’s marketability. Becoming credentialed with a medical assistant certification also adds credibility and increases the chances for hire. For those medical assistants who are flexible and efficient at both the clinical aspects of the job as well as the administrative functions, chances are they will not have to look long to find a job in this field.

Is there room for advancement in this field?

With further schooling medical assistants have a variety of advancement opportunities available to them. Oftentimes a natural progression in this field with a great deal of experience and further education is to advance to a medical office manager , Medical office managers have more administrative than clinical duties, as well as supervisory responsibilities. Another advancement opportunity would be teaching medical assisting courses to train others entering this field.