Top Paying Industries for Medical Assistant Professionals
Among various industries, including personal care services, offices of dentists, scientific research and development services, etc., the top-paying industries for medical assistant professionals were junior colleges, computer systems design, recreation, insurance, and medical industry.
| Employer | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Colleges | $23.42 | $48,720 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $19.95 | $41,490 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $19.09 | $39,710 |
| Insurance Carriers | $21.11 | $43,910 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $18.36 | $38,190 |
Source: BLS (as of May 2021)
Medical Assistant Salary Variations based on Certifications
Certified medical assistants are paid more than non-certified medical assistants. Further, the salary depends on the level of education, i.e., associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or other higher degree.
| Level of Education | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Technical Certificate or High School Diploma | $36,385 - $38,140 |
| Associate’s Degree | $36,745 - $38,500 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $37,240 - $38,911 |
| Master’s Degree | $37,690 - $39,371 |
| JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent | $38,140 - $39,830 |
Source: salary.com (as of December 28, 2022)
As it is visible in the above table, medical assistants with JD, MD, Ph.D., or equivalent degree earned the highest salary package, i.e., between $39,830 and $38.140
Certified Medical Assistant Salaries by State
| State | Indeed.com (Hourly Salary) | Indeed.com (Annual Salary) | Salary.com (Hourly Salary) | Salary.com (Annual Salary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $20.91 | 48,342 | $21.00 | 42,840 |
| Rhode Island | $18.72 | 43,290 | $19.00 | 40,290 |
| Washington | $22.58 | 52,201 | $20.00 | 40,698 |
| Minnesota | $22.50 | 52,010 | $19.00 | 39,012 |
| Massachusetts | $22.40 | 51,701 | $20.00 | 41,502 |
| California | $20.71 | 47,840 | $20.00 | 42,601 |
| Oregon | $21.70 | 50,185 | $18.00 | 37,980 |
| Connecticut | $19.94 | 46,205 | $20.00 | 41,305 |
| New Jersey | $18.75 | 43,110 | $20.00 | 42,208 |
| Washington DC | $21.10 | 48,701 | $20.00 | 42,520 |
| Rhode Island | $19.96 | 46,475 | $19.00 | 39,659 |
| North Dakota | $21.98 | 50,970 | $17.00 | 35,820 |
| New York | $19.78 | 45,840 | $20.00 | 41,012 |
| Maine | $21.91 | 50,590 | $17.00 | 36,840 |
| Wisconsin | $19.44 | 44,720 | $18.00 | 37,610 |
| Colorado | $20.02 | 45,503 | $18.00 | 38,204 |
| Illinois | $19.22 | 44,420 | $19.00 | 39,240 |
| Maryland | $18.32 | 42,010 | $19.00 | 39,405 |
| Hawaii | $20.90 | 48,120 | $20.00 | 40,105 |
| New Hampshire | $23.10 | 53,450 | $19.00 | 38,804 |
| Vermont | $22.08 | 49,214 | $18.00 | 37,812 |
| Pennsylvania | $19.70 | 42.920 | $18.00 | 38,205 |
| Iowa | $21.15 | 48,817 | $18.00 | 36,502 |
| Virginia | $18.02 | 41,705 | $18.00 | 37,905 |
| Arizona | $18.25 | 42,304 | $18.00 | 37,701 |
| Nevada | $17.20 | 38,209 | $17.00 | 36,013 |
| Delaware | $17.60 | 40,618 | $18.00 | 40,122 |
| Montana | $20.35 | 46,980 | $17.00 | 34,608 |
| Indiana | $18.93 | 43,298 | $18.00 | 37,762 |
| Nebraska | $19.03 | 44,302 | $17.00 | 35,008 |
| Georgia | $17.09 | 38,963 | $18.00 | 36,801 |
| Michigan | $17.32 | 39,906 | $18.00 | 38,198 |
| Ohio | $17.26 | 39,212 | $18.00 | 36,739 |
| Texas | $16.70 | 37,850 | $18.00 | 36,949 |
| South Dakota | $25.92 | 59,860 | $16.00 | 32,852 |
| Utah | $17.15 | 39,470 | $17.00 | 36,295 |
| Wyoming | $18.15 | 41,903 | $16.00 | 33,998 |
| Idaho | $18.25 | 41,990 | $17.00 | 36,013 |
| North Carolina | $17.34 | 39,980 | $17.00 | 36,569 |
| Florida | $16.72 | 38,240 | $17.00 | 36,420 |
| South Carolina | $17.02 | 38,905 | $17.00 | 35,802 |
| New Mexico | $18.10 | 41,715 | $17.00 | 34,940 |
| Kentucky | $16.01 | 37,132 | $17.00 | 35,890 |
| Kansas | $17.56 | 40,102 | $17.00 | 36,240 |
| Tennessee | $16.10 | 36,918 | $16.00 | 34,704 |
| Arkansas | $15.87 | 34,904 | $16.00 | 34,702 |
| Oklahoma | $16.56 | 37,780 | $17.00 | 35,960 |
| Louisiana | $14.40 | 33,450 | $17.00 | 36,547 |
| Missouri | $15.80 | 35,420 | $17.00 | 36,487 |
| Alabama | $14.92 | 33,875 | $17.00 | 36,520 |
| West Virginia | $14.58 | 33,815 | $16.00 | 33,840 |
| Mississippi | $15.22 | 34,902 | $16.00 | 33,436 |
Source: indeed.com (as of August 20, 2022) & salary.com (as of July 27, 2022)
The data gathered from indeed.com and salary.com for “certified medical assistant salaries by states” postulates that the top 5 highest paying states for medical assistants are South Dakota, New Hampshire, Washington, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. These 5 states have an average hourly salary ranging from $22 to $26.00 and an average annual salary ranging from $51,701 to $59,860 for medical assistants.
Some of the lowest-paying states for medical assistants include Louisiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. All these states have an average hourly salary ranging from $14 to $16 and a mean annual wage ranging from $33,450 to $35,420.
Highest Paying Cities for CMAs in the US
| City | Average Salary (Hourly) |
|---|---|
| Seattle, (WA) | $26.77 |
| Austin (TX) | $18.36 |
| Atlanta (GE) | $18.30 |
| Omaha (NE) | $18.85 |
| Houston (TX) | $17.52 |
| Philadelphia, (PA) | $18.95 |
| Tulsa (OK) | $ 16.65 |
| Dallas (TX) | $17.49 |
Source: indeed (as of January 01, 2023)
The data reported in the chart exhibits the highest paying cities for certified medical assistants. The cities that offer the highest salaries to CMAs include Seattle, the highest paying city that provides an average hourly pay of $26.77.20. CMAs working in Dallas (TX) are expected to earn an hourly wage of $17.49.
Healthcare facilities across Texas major cities Austin and Houston will provide average hourly pay of $18.36 and $17.52 to CMAs, respectively. Certified medical assistants working in Philadelphia can expect $18.95 as their hourly salary. CMAs working in Omaha, Atlanta, andTulsa earn from $18.85 to $16.55 per hour, approximately.
| City | Average Hourly Pay | Pay Difference Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle (WA) | $22.66 | 35% |
| Chicago (IL) | $19.24 | 17% |
| Dallas (TX) | $18.04 | 5% |
| Houston (TX) | $16.78 | 1% |
| Indianapolis (IN) | $17.21 | 3% |
| Charlotte (NC) | $16.02 | 2% |
Source: payscale (as of January 04, 2023)
The pay difference displayed in the chart is the individual increased salary rate concerning the national average hourly rate for CMAs working in metropolitan cities in the USA. Seattle offers an hourly pay of $22.66, which is 35% more than the average hourly wage to the employed certified medical assistants. CMAs working in Chicago are expected to earn an hourly pay of $19.24, which is 17% more than the national average hourly wage.
Dallas is one of the highest paying cities for CMAs that has a pay difference rate of 5% and provides a mean hourly salary of $18.04. Certified medical assistants working in Houston and Indianapolis earn an hourly pay of $16.78 and $17.21, respectively, and both cities have a pay difference rate of 1% and 3%. Average hourly payment of $16.02 and a salary rate of 2% more than the national average hourly rate is secured by CMAs working in Charlotte.
Certified Medical Assistant Pay Based on Experience
As evident from the below table, medical assistants with less than one year of experience earned $14.42 per hour, whereas those with 20 years and higher experience made $18.81 per hour.
| Experience | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $14.34 |
| 1-4 years | $15.62 |
| 5-9 years | $17.15 |
| 10-19 years | $18.44 |
| 20 years and higher | $19.00 |
Source: payscale.com (as of January 03, 2023)
As evident from the above table, medical assistants with less than one year of experience earned $14.34 per hour, whereas those with 20 years and higher experience made $19.00 per hour.
| Experience | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years | 34,264 |
| 3-5 years | 37,184 |
| 6-9 years | 38,685 |
| 10-15 years | 41,170 |
| 16+ years | 43,519 |
Source: AAMA(as of 2022) - Multiple specialties
Clinical Medical Assistant Salaries by State
Location wise there are considerable differences in the average wages offered for clinical medical assistants. Many employees select a state that is known for furnishing amongst the highest salaries in the country for clinical assisting. Knowing which states pay the highest and which pay amongst the least is helping to shape your financial goals accordingly.
Thus, in the table below, we have outlined a list of all states in the USA (in alphabetical order) with average hourly and annual payouts:
Clinical Medical Assisting Salaries by State (Hourly and Annual)
| State | Hourly Salary Indeed (hourly) | Annual Salary ZipRecruiter (annual) | Annual Salary Zippia (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $18.10 | $30,810 | $25,041 |
| Alaska | $19.11 | $49,632 | $46,010 |
| Arizona | $19.00 | $28,794 | $38,012 |
| Arkansas | $17.43 | $26,506 | $25,766 |
| California | $21.06 | $30,078 | $49,072 |
| Colorado | $19.79 | $28,258 | $34,759 |
| Connecticut | $19.85 | $30,421 | $41,035 |
| Delaware | $18.50 | - | $37,521 |
| Florida | $18.05 | $25,513 | $30,194 |
| Georgia | $18.65 | $27,299 | $27,753 |
| Hawaii | $42,718 yearly | $33,486 | $44,975 |
| Idaho | $17.52 | - | $35,825 |
| Illinois | $43,990 yearly | $26,369 | $43,897 |
| Indiana | $18.06 | $34,810 | $36,148 |
| Iowa | $18.35 | - | $37,852 |
| Kansas | $17.52 | $45,157 | $28,147 |
| Kentucky | $40,329 yearly | - | $33,010 |
| Louisiana | $18.05 | $30,421 | $28,583 |
| Maine | $18.25 | $25,654 | $35,908 |
| Maryland | $19.92 | $36,647 | $38,013 |
| Massachusetts | $20.80 | $32,549 | $44,091 |
| Michigan | $18.65 | $26,703 | $38,715 |
| Minnesota | $19.22 | $28,250 | $42,492 |
| Mississippi | $17.96 | $28,815 | $29,034 |
| Missouri | $18.34 | $26,090 | $32,436 |
| Montana | $17.09 | - | $35,401 |
| Nebraska | $17.96 | - | $33,318 |
| Nevada | $42,621 yearly | $36,195 | $37,161 |
| New Hampshire | $18.32 | $31,438 | $38,006 |
| New Jersey | $20.08 | $28,720 | $43,045 |
| New Mexico | $18.05 | $32,105 | $35,980 |
| New York | $20.52 | $33,920 | $40,020 |
| North Carolina | $42,187 yearly | $41,013 | $31,220 |
| North Dakota | $18.68 | $30,241 | $39,348 |
| Ohio | $40,858 yearly | $28,321 | $36,145 |
| Oklahoma | $18.05 | - | $25,834 |
| Oregon | $19.87 | - | $45,316 |
| Pennsylvania | $19.00 | $29,005 | $36,155 |
| Rhode Island | $18.24 | $29,148 | $41,504 |
| South Carolina | $18.95 | $34,573 | $27,321 |
| South Dakota | $18.07 | $28,985 | $33,715 |
| Tennessee | $18.80 | $31,510 | $28,731 |
| Texas | $20.00 | $27,480 | $31,000 |
| Utah | $18,65 | $27,804 | $34,296 |
| Vermont | $17.85 | - | $40,876 |
| Virginia | $44,285 yearly | $28,872 | $37,415 |
| Washington | $46,095 yearly | $35,945 | $44,988 |
| West Virginia | $18.00 | $28,990 | $30,015 |
| Wisconsin | $18.29 | $32,109 | $38,965 |
| Wyoming | $17.82 | $29,490 | $33,516 |
As can be seen above, as per hourly wages, California ($21.06) and Massachusetts ($20.80) are the states in the USA that pay the highest to their clinical Medical Assistants. Thus those looking for a considerably high hourly pay can look at these states for any open vacancies. As per average annual salary figures, Massachusetts ($44,091), Alaska ($46,010), Oregon($45,316), New York ($43,824), and Washington($44,988) pay the highest to clinical medical assistants in the USA.
On the other hand, the state of Montana paid the lowest hourly wages to Clinical Medical Assistants on an average ($17.09 per hour).Arkansas ($17.43) and Kansas($17.52) were the other states that paid amongst the least hourly compensation to USA's clinical MAs. As per annual salary figures, Alabama was found to pay the lowest package of $25,041 per year. South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi were the other states that recorded the lowest annual wages for Clinical Medical Assistants.
Highest Paying Cities for Clinical MAs in the US
We have seen state-wise pay estimates above; however, even city to city differences exist in the compensation structure of clinical MAs in the USA. Your best bet would be to seek clinical medical assisting jobs in the highest paying American cities. It is not always possible to relocate and find jobs outside your location; however, here we have enlisted you with the top cities that pay the highest salaries to clinical medical assistants. Keeping these locations in mind, you can chalk out a plan in the future to seek openings here:
Cities that Pay the Highest Clinical MA Wages:
| City | Annual Salary (zippia.com as of Jan 01, 2023) | Hourly Pay (indeed as of Jan 02, 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, WA | $47,000 | $21.15 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,000 | $20.80 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $47,000 | $18.40 |
| Eugene, OR | $44,000 | $20.50 |
| Chicago, IL | $40,000 | $20.10 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $39,000 | $18.60 |
| Colorado Springs,CO | $38,000 | $19.90 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $38,000 | $17.15 |
| Baltimore, MD | $38,000 | $18.70 |
The average hourly salary (as of January 5, 2023 of USA's clinical assistants is estimated at $18.21, and the average annual pay at $41,522. However, depending on where you're located, you might even draw considerably better salaries than the national average.
Vancouver, number one on the list in terms of the average clinical assistant pay ($47,000), is 12% over the nation's hourly average clinical assisting compensation. If you're just starting, the best location in terms of an entrant salary package would be this city (average starting pay is $47,000). Other vital cities that pay well to clinical assistants include Los Angles (pays 11% above national average and the highest hourly wage in the US), Urban Honolulu (pays 11% above national average), and Chicago (pays same as the national average)). In terms of states, the highest paying ones include Washington, California, and Hawaii.
Medical Assistant Salaries by Work Setting
Medical assistants may work in different work settings – hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, etc. According to the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants), as of 2022, medical assistants working in Ambulatory Surgery were paid the highest annual salary, i.e., $41,625 per annum.
| Work Setting | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Practice | $35,800 | $19.40 |
| Ambulatory Surgery | $41,635 | $18.25 |
| Inpatient Setting | $39,860 | $18.92 |
| Other | $39,080 | $20.50 |
Source: AAMA (as of 2022)
Popular Skills Affecting Salaries
There are various specializations in which medical assistants can earn a certification. Based on their interest, medical assistants can get certification in both single or multiple specialties. The more specializations you will have, the higher your salary will be.
| Skills | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Single Specialty | $35,726 | $19.24 |
| Multiple Specialties | $37,184 | $19.83 |
| Other Medical & Surgical Specialties | $36,417 | $19.27 |
Source: AAMA (as of 2022)
As stated in the above table, medical assistants with Other Medical & Surgical Specialties earned $19.27 per hour and $36,417 per annum.
| Skills | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Patient Education | $17 |
| Medical Terminology | $17 |
| EMR (Electronic Medical Records) | $17 |
| Phlebotomy | $17 |
| Triage | $17 |
Source: payscale.com (as of January 6, 2023)
Medical assistants with strong skillsin patient education and medical terminology were paid $17 per hour.
Highest Paying States for Medical Assistants
According to Salary.com, Alaska was the highest paying state in the USA for the medical assistant profession and paid $38,384 per annum and $18.00 per hour. Among other top-paying states were Massachusetts, California, DC, and New Jersey.
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $38,000 | $18.00 |
| California | $38,000 | $18.00 |
| New Jersey | $38,000 | $18.00 |
| Massachusetts | $37,000 | $18.00 |
| District of Columbia | $38,000 | $18.00 |
Source: Salary.com (as of Jan 02, 2023)
According to the BLS, Washington paid the highest salary ($47,410 and $22.80 per hour) to these professionals.
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $46,398 | $22.40 |
| District of Columbia | $46,715 | $22.50 |
| Washington | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| California | $44,820 | $21.58 |
| Massachusetts | $44,240 | $21.38 |
Highest Paying Cities for Medical Assistants
According to ZipRecruiter and the BLS, medical assistants in most of the cities in California earned the highest salary as compared to cities in other states.
| Skills | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $51,199 | $24.61 |
| Chicago, IL | $44,337 | $21.32 |
| Eugene, OR | $45,871 | $22.05 |
| Vancouver, WA | $48,904 | $23.51 |
| Springfield, MA | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $45,784 | $22.01 |
Source: ZipRecruiter (as of Jan 06, 2023)
| Metropolitan Area | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $53,530 | $25.17 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $47,060 | $22.62 |
Source: BLS (as of May 2021)
Top 5 States with Highest Employment
According to the BLS, with $42,990 per annum and $21.53 per hour, California was the top paying state for medical assistants in May 2021. Among other top-paying states were Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia.
| State | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 97,640 | $42,990 | $21.53 |
| Texas | 69,370 | $34,660 | $16.66 |
| Florida; | 57,210 | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| New York | 31,360 | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Georgia | 26,610 | $35,470 | $17.05 |
Source: BLS (as of May 2021)
Job Satisfaction Ratio among Medical Assistants
Salary satisfaction is one of the most crucial aspects of job satisfaction. In a survey by indeed.com, 35% of medical assistants in the US believed that their salaries are enough according to the cost of living in their area.
According to payscale.com, Clinical Medical Assistants are highly satisfied with their jobs, and they have rated their jobs as 4.10 out of 26 for satisfaction level.
Top Paying Employers for Medical Assistants
According to the BLS, with $47,320 per annum and $22.75 per hour, Washington was the top paying state for medical assistants in May 2021. Other top-paying states were Alaska, District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts.
| Employer | Hourly Wage |
UCSF Medical Center | $29 |
| John Muir | $26 |
| UCLA Medical Center | $25 |
Sutter Health | $24 |
The Everett Clinic | $24 |
Source: payscale.com (as of January 9, 2023)
| Employer | Hourly Wage |
| BayCare Health System | $25.56 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $24.46 |
| Community Health Care | $23.54 |
Adventist Health | $23.03 |
| UC Health | 22.86 |
Source: indeed.com
Common Benefits for Medical Assistants (other than Salary)
In addition to lucrative salary packages, employers pay the following non-monetary benefits to their employees.
-
Paid Time-Off
-
Tuition Reimbursement
-
Insurance
-
Flexible Work Schedules
-
Maternity Leaves
-
Pension Plan
-
Professional Development Assistance
Employers provide paid time-off to medical assistants so that they can fulfill their family commitments and enjoy quality time with family members.
Some employers reimburse tuition fees if medical assistants agree to work with them after completion of studies. Most of the employers also pay for the higher education of the MAs working with them.
Employers pay for vision and dental insurance of their employees. Some employers also provide health insurance plans for the employees and their families.
Medical assistants can organize their work schedules and may choose to work on weekdays, weekends, or 4, 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts.
Expecting medical assistants can avail maternity leaves provided by their organization. The number of leaves depends on the employer.
Some employers offer a pension plan to make the after-retirement life of MAs easy. The longer you work with an organization, the more benefits you will get after retirement.
The healthcare industry keeps on evolving with technological advancements. Employers conduct training and mentoring programs to keep their employees tuned with the latest technologies.
In addition to these benefits, the employer may also provide you with sick leaves, tax saving plans, work opportunities in various locations, relocation leaves, etc.
How Much Do Similar Professions Pay?
Associate Medical Director, Medical Billing Specialist, Medical Office Assistant, Phlebotomist, Dental Assistant, and Dental Hygienists are some of the related professions to medical assistants. All these professionals earn different salaries. Take a look at other similar career salaries!
| Job Title | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Billing Specialist | $21 | $43,840 |
| Medical Librarian Assistant | $19 | $40,205 |
| Associate Medical Director | $140 | $293,000 |
| Physician Assistant - Medical | $56 | $112,998 |
| Asst. Professor - Medical Administration | $35 | $71,910 |
Source: salary.com (July 26, 2022)
Source: U.S. News (as of 2018)
| Job Title | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Clinical Medical Assistant | $12 - $20 |
| Certified Medical Assistant | $13 - $21 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | $13 - $24 |
| Phlebotomist | $13 - $21 |
| Registered Medical Assistant | $13 - $20 |
| Certified Medical Assistant | $13 - $21 |
| Dental Assistant | $13 - $23 |
Source: payscale.com (as of January 07, 2023)
| Job Title | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides | $61,650 |
| Nursing Assistants and Orderlies | $30,430 |
| Phlebotomists | $36,998 |
| Psychiatric Technicians and Aides | $36,310 |
| Dental Assistants | $39,005 |
| Dental Hygienists | $77,090 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $37,100 |
| Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | $45,240 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides | $49,270 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $48,120 |
Source: BLS (as of 2021)
Factors that can Boost Medical Assistants Salary
Below are some ways through which the average medical assistant salary can be enhanced.
1
Education
You can get an entry-level job by obtaining a diploma in medical assisting. But, if you want to earn a higher salary, you must consider pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
2
Certification
Obtaining a certificate or certificates in one or more specialized fields will add to your skills and will undoubtedly improve your career opportunities and salary package.
3
Experience
As you gain work experience, your competence improves gradually. While working, you gain exposure and experience in new areas such as radiology, phlebotomy, etc. Your experience prepares you to take on more responsibilities and earn a higher income.
4
Relocation
Relocating to a city or state that pays higher salary packages to medical assistants is one of the ways to boost your income.
5
Overtime
You can work overtime to earn more income. Some employers pay an excellent medical assistant salary per hour. So, you can work for some extra hours to increase your salary.
Hiring Trends and Projected Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
With 123,000 new jobs in the field each year, till 2031, on average, the future looks bright for medical assistants and connected professions. The BLS has projected that there will be 861,300 medical assistants employed by 2031, which accounts for 16% growth in employment from 2021 to 2031. This growth is attributed to several factors, including technical disruptions and reforms in the healthcare sector, an increase in the number of elderly patients, an increase in obesity diabetes and other medical conditions, etc.
Find Medical Assistant Salaries by State
Wondering how much do medical assistants get paid in your state? Click your state in the below map and get detailed information.
Written by : Casey Gardner
Casey Gardner isboth a healthcare support professional andan accomplished contentcreator. She has been working asa certified health care professional with marketable skills as a physician assistant, anda qualified medical assistant for last two decades. She has dedicated her nursing career to produceover hundreds of content piecessince 2001, and her work hasbeen published both online as well as offline.
FAQs
Where is the best place to work as a Medical Assistant? ›
- Physicians offices.
- Medical and surgical hospitals.
- Outpatient care centers.
- Retirement homes.
- Other health practitioner offices.
- Employment services.
The highest 10% of medical assistants earned more than $48,170 in 2021, or about $23 per hour.
How much does a Medical Assistant earn in Massachusetts 2022? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in Massachusetts? The average Medical Assistant salary in Massachusetts is $41,986 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $38,705 and $45,334.
What setting do medical assistants make the most money? ›...
10 States Where Medical Assistants Earn the Most Money.
| Rank | State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $45,490 |
| 2 | Washington | $41,340 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $40,320 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $40,270 |
- Go where the jobs are.
- If you have a certificate or diploma, earn an associate degree.
- Volunteer to teach and tutor aspiring medical assistants.
- Earn a medical assisting credential.
- Earn credentials in complementary fields to add to your skills.
A medical assistant's strongest skill should be compassion. More than the sympathy we feel for those who struggle, compassion is the willingness to take action to meet others' needs and ease their pain. It's empathy in motion.
What is the hardest thing about being a medical assistant? ›Outside of the day-to-day responsibilities, the most difficult parts of being a medical assistant are related to the unexpected clinical and administrative “emergencies” that can arise during a shift.
What are the top three industries that employ medical assistants? ›| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment |
|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 106,640 | 1.91 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 64,650 | 6.55 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 58,920 | 6.06 |
| Employment Services | 13,850 | 0.40 |
The Medical Assistant may choose to be registered (R.M.A) or certified (CMA). These designations merely depend on the organization to which she or he belongs. There is no qualitative difference between the two credentials simply because one uses the "Registered" and the other uses the "Certified" title.
How much does a Medical Assistant get paid per hour in Florida? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in Florida? As of Jan 24, 2023, the average annual pay for a Medical Assistant in Florida is $29,683 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $14.27 an hour. This is the equivalent of $570/week or $2,473/month.
What type of assistant makes the most money? ›
- Cardiothoracic and vascular surgery: $125,000 a year.
- Pathology: $119,000 a year.
- Pain Medicine: $115,000 a year.
- Dermatology: $115,000 a year.
- Emergency medicine: $115,000 a year.
- Neurosurgery: $115,000 a year.
- Psychiatry: $115,000 a year.
As of Jan 21, 2023, the average annual pay for a Medical Assistant in Texas is $26,592 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $12.78 an hour. This is the equivalent of $511/week or $2,216/month.
How much do medical assistants make near New Hampshire? ›The average salary for a medical assistant in New Hampshire is $34,500 per year. Medical assistant salaries in New Hampshire can vary between $20,000 to $50,000 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.
How much do medical assistants make near Rhode Island? ›The average Medical Assistant salary in Rhode Island is $40,674 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $37,496 and $43,917.
Is a medical assistant job worth it? ›Becoming a medical assistant is a good career choice because it is an in-demand career with many opportunities. The demand for medical assistants is expected to increase by 18.9 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than average compared to other occupations.
Is it hard getting a job as a medical assistant? ›With the job market becoming more competitive, especially in the medical field, getting a job as a medical assistant may be more difficult without a degree from an accredited medical assistant training program.
Is it stressful to be a medical assistant? ›It's a role full of personal interactions
Working with people—whether they're patients, physicians or other healthcare professionals—always comes with some potential for stress. There are as many personalities out there as there are people, and you'll inevitably encounter someone you'd prefer not to interact with.
What are some of the most common career advancements you see among medical assistants? Business such as office management or program management, clinical such as clinical supervisor, RN, care coordination, personal care, health promotion, physician's assistant, or MA instructor.
Can you grow from being a medical assistant? ›With experience, medical assistants can specialize and move into leadership roles, filling another vital healthcare workforce need. By advancing their education, they can become healthcare managers, healthcare administrators, nurses and more.
What business can a medical assistant start? ›Home Health Aide – Starting Your Own Health Care Business
You could even consider starting your own business and hiring other medical assistants to work with you providing care and assistance to homebound, disabled, or elderly people who need a little extra help every day.
What's better than a medical assistant? ›
LPNs report a higher median salary compared to medical assistants. But the BLS projects higher employment growth for medical assistants. Both careers require about a year of training. Most LPN programs also require some patient care experience, while medical assistant programs do not.
What are the 3 types of medical assistants? ›Medical assistants may work in a diverse range of specializations, but there are three primary types: clinical, registered/certified, and administrative. There are some similarities between the three kinds, but you will notice some distinct differences between the daily duties and responsibilities of each.
What medical assistants should not do? ›- placing the needle or starting and disconnecting the infusion tube of an IV.
- administering medications or injections into the IV line.
- charting the pupillary responses.
- inserting a urine catheter.
- independently performing telephone triage.
Good customer service skills will be incredibly important for any Medical Assistant. Medical vocabulary and medical knowledge – You will be in the healthcare industry, so obtaining medical knowledge and becoming familiar with medical terminology is essential for Medical Assistants.
What is your greatest weakness sample medical assistant? ›It's important to know if they are aware of their weaknesses and how they plan to improve upon them. Sample Answer: My biggest weakness is my ability to multi-task. I'm a very focused individual and can get easily distracted when I have too many things going on at once.
Is it hard to pass the certified medical assistant exam? ›The exam is challenging and requires some preparation. The better you prepare, the more likely you will pass the exam on your first try. The CMA exam pass rate from July 2020 to July 2021 was 62%. A total of 8,870 CMA exams were administered during this time.
What city pays the most for medical assistants? ›The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the medical assistant profession are San Francisco, Vallejo, Santa Rosa, Seattle, and San Jose.
What are the best states to work as a medical biller? ›Think of Ohio as the “little state that can and does.” With Top 10 rankings like fourth in employment and sixth in location quotient—and a more affordable cost of living index than many states—Ohio packs a big punch and handily nabs the top spot as the best state for medical billers and coders.
What is the most important part of a medical assistant job? ›Update Patient Medical Records
One of your most important tasks as a medical assistant is keeping patient medical records current. You'll enter a patient's weight and blood pressure and their pre-exam interview responses into a computer database.
The BLS adds that MAs may benefit from being detail-oriented and having analytical skills that will assist them in maintaining patient charts and other administrative duties. CNAs, on the other hand, do well with strong communication skills and the physical stamina required to adequately care for their patients.
Is CCMA better than CMA? ›
CCMA and CMAA certifications prepare you for a rewarding career in health care. The key difference is that the CCMA emphasizes clinical knowledge/skills with a secondary focus on administrative knowledge and skills, while the CMAA goes into greater breadth and depth on administrative skills only.
How much does the RMA exam cost? ›How Much Does it Cost to Take the RMA? The fee to take the RMA exam is $120. Additionally, you must take the following steps in order to maintain your RMA certification: Annual membership fees: $60 per year.
What is a Medical Assistant salary in Texas? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in Texas? The average Medical Assistant salary in Texas is $37,894 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $34,933 and $40,916.
How much are medical assistants paid in California? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in California? The average Medical Assistant salary in California is $43,105 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $39,737 and $46,542.
What is highest pay for Medical Assistant in California? ›- Sacramento, CA. $21.28 per hour. 69 salaries reported.
- San Diego, CA. $21.22 per hour. 48 salaries reported.
- Los Angeles, CA. $20.99 per hour. 84 salaries reported.
- Bakersfield, CA. $19.15 per hour. ...
- Long Beach, CA. $18.95 per hour. ...
- Show more nearby cities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual pay for medical assistants is $45,760 per year. CNAs earned a median annual wage of $30,310.
What position gets paid the most? ›- Anesthesiologist: $208,000.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: $208,000.
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist: $208,000.
- Surgeon: $208,000.
- Orthodontist: $208,000.
- Physician: $208,000.
- Psychiatrist: $208,000.
| Rank | Occupation | 2021 Median Wages |
|---|---|---|
| Employment column two Annual | ||
| 1 | Anesthesiologists | $208,000+ |
| 1 | Cardiologists | $208,000+ |
| 1 | Dermatologists | $208,000+ |
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Louisiana? The average Medical Assistant salary in Louisiana is $36,969 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $34,080 and $39,917.
How much do medical assistants make near Austin TX? ›According to indeed.com, Medical Assistants in Austin typically earn between $34,289 and $40,163. The average salary is $37,195 as of April 2022.
What state pays the best for medical assistants? ›
- Washington. Average Hourly Wage: $22.75. Average Annual Salary: $47,320.
- District of Columbia: Average Hourly Wage: $22.45. ...
- Alaska: Average Hourly Wage: $22.30. ...
- California: Average Hourly Wage: $21.53. ...
- Massachusetts: Average Hourly Wage: $21.25.
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Maryland? The average Medical Assistant salary in Maryland is $39,788 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $36,679 and $42,961.
What is a Medical Assistant salary in Virginia? ›The average Medical Assistant salary in Virginia is $38,358 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $35,361 and $41,417.
How much do medical assistants get paid near Providence RI? ›Our comprehensive salary research shows that, on average, a medical assistant in providence, ri makes an estimated $19 hourly. This can range from $16 to $24 hourly, and is based on a variety of factors, including education, experience, certifications and additional skills.
How much do medical assistants make near Fort Myers Fl? ›The average salary for a medical assistant in Fort Myers, FL is $32,500 per year. Medical assistant salaries in Fort Myers, FL can vary between $17,000 to $46,000 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.
How much do medical assistants make near Massachusetts? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in Massachusetts? The average Medical Assistant salary in Massachusetts is $41,986 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $38,705 and $45,334.
How much does a CCMA get paid in Mississippi? ›How much does a Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) make in Mississippi? The average Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) salary in Mississippi is $33,600 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $31,000 and $36,300.
What is the most a Medical Assistant can make in Texas? ›While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $36,706 and as low as $17,479, the majority of Medical Assistant salaries currently range between $25,344 (25th percentile) to $31,898 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $35,831 annually in Texas.
How much does a Medical Assistant earn in Florida 2022? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in Florida? The average Medical Assistant salary in Florida is $36,660 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $33,796 and $39,584.
Is it hard to get a job as a medical biller? ›It can be tough to get a coding or billing job right away. Many new coders and billers start working in related healthcare fields, and then use that experience as leverage to get a billing or coding job. With a lucrative, growing field like coding and billing, it's all about getting your foot in the door.
Is it worth being a medical biller? ›
Job Outlook For A Medical Biller and Coder
When looking at the job outlook for a career as a medical biller and coder, you will be pleased to know that the new employment for this career is projected to grow by 8.54% between 2020 to 2030. The translates to around 28,600 new jobs.
...
1. Nevada.
| Total Medical Coder Jobs: | 322 |
|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary: | $55,433 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $39,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $78,000 |
How much does a Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) make in Florida? The average Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) salary in Florida is $36,700 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $33,800 and $39,600.
What is a CCMA salary in Georgia? ›The average Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) salary in Georgia is $37,400 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $34,500 and $40,400.
How much does a CCMA get paid in Oregon? ›How much does a Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) make in Oregon? The average Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) salary in Oregon is $38,500 as of December 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $35,500 and $41,600.
How much does a medical assistant get paid per hour in Florida? ›How much does a Medical Assistant make in Florida? As of Jan 24, 2023, the average annual pay for a Medical Assistant in Florida is $29,683 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $14.27 an hour. This is the equivalent of $570/week or $2,473/month.
How much do medical assistants make in California per hour? ›| Years of experience | Per hour |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 years | $19.80 |
| 3 to 5 years | $21.24 |
| 6 to 9 years | $21.65 |
| More than 10 years | $23.95 |
With experience, medical assistants can specialize and move into leadership roles. With more education they may advance into other healthcare occupations such as registered nurse, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.