How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make?

How much does a medical assistant make?  We have to look at a number of factors.  Education level, experience, type of health care facility where you work, type of work you perform and geographic location, all play a part in determining what you can expect to make as a Medical Assistant.  Although all the factors are important, training, certification and type of facility appear to be important determining factors in actual salary amounts (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – How to become a medical assistant page).

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical Assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical functions under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, filing, copying and answering the phones. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by a physician.

What is the Job Outlook for Medical Assisting?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assisting employment is expected to grow 31% between 2010 and 2012.  Changes to insurance standards and an aging Baby-Boom population are expected to increase demand for preventative medical services offered by doctors.  As this demand grows, these doctor offices and medical groups will continue to expand and they will need qualified medical assistants to assist with patient management, record keeping, billing and administrative functions.  The demand for Medical assistants is expected to outpace other healthcare occupations by 6% and all occupations by 17%.

Changes in technology and record keeping requirements are also spurring growth in this field.  As doctors struggle to balance patient care with administrative requirements, the qualified Medical Assistant becomes an essential part of the patient care and healthcare business team.

How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational and Employment Wages Webpage, Medical Assistant earnings is about $41,570.00 per year ($19.99/hour) in the top 10% of all Medical Assisting positions and around $21,080.00 ($10.14/hour) in the bottom 10% with a Median earnings level of $29,370.00 ($14.12/hour).

Geographic Profile for Medical Assisting Employment

States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided.  For more information on employment by state – visit Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupation Employment & Wages Outlook Page.

For more information about a career in the medical assisting field, or to speak with an admissions representative and apply for career training, contact Centura College today by visiting our Medical Assisting Career Training Webpage.  You can also learn more about Centura College at our Consumer Information Disclosure page, Your right to know.

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SOURCES:
[tabs slidertype=”simple”] [tab]1 of 2 – Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor/Occupational Outlook Handbook – from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited 7/1/2013)[/tab] [tab]2 of 2 – Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor/Occupational Employment Statistics – from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm#st (visited 7/1/2013)[/tab] [/tabs]

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