Medical Assistant Salary

Medical Assistant Pay Decoded: Salaries by State, Experience and More

Medical assistants play a critical role in healthcare delivery, assisting physicians and nurses with both clinical and administrative tasks. Given the high demand for medical assistants, what kind of salaries can these professionals expect to earn?

This comprehensive guide examines the various factors influencing medical assistant pay and provides key statistics on salaries by state, experience, specialty, and more.

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are versatile allied health professionals who work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient settings such as doctors’ offices and clinics. Their day-to-day duties vary but typically include clinical tasks like taking medical histories, vital signs, lab tests and EKGs as well as administrative tasks such as patient scheduling, medical billing, and medical records.

Factors Influencing Medical Assistant Salaries

Medical assistant salaries can vary substantially depending on factors like:

• Experience – More experienced MAs tend to earn higher salaries.
• Education – MAs with more advanced education and training earn more.
• Location – Salaries vary significantly by state and region.
• Specialty – MAs in specialized fields like ophthalmology earn more.
• Employer – Larger healthcare systems tend to offer higher pay.
• Certifications – Certified MAs can increase earning potential.

Average Medical Assistant Salary in the U.S.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for medical assistants in the United States as of May 2021 was $36,930. The lowest 10% of MAs earned less than $28,470, while the highest 10% earned more than $48,720.

Highest Paying States for Medical Assistants

Medical assistant salaries can vary significantly depending on the state.

Here are the top 5 highest paying states for medical assistants as of May 2022.

State	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
Washington	$24.21	$50,350
District of Columbia	$24.05	$50,020
Alaska	$23.75	$49,400
California	$23.01	$47,850
Minnesota	$22.76	$47,330

Highest Paying Metros for Medical Assistants

Here are the top 5 highest paying metropolitan areas for medical assistants as of May 2022.

Metropolitan Area	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	$29.83	$62,050
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$28.23	$58,710
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA	$27.14	$56,450
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$26.91	$55,980
Santa Rosa, CA	$26.77	$55,690

Factors like cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and density of medical facilities influence average salaries by state and metro.

Highest Paying Medical Assisting Specialties

Medical assistants who specialize in a specific clinical area often command higher salaries.

According to recent data, the top 5 highest paying medical assisting specialties were:

1. Podiatry Medical Assistant – $65,000
2. Ophthalmology Medical Assistant – $46,377
3. Fertility Medical Assistant – $35,720
4. Cardiology Medical Assistant – $41,600
5. Dermatology Medical Assistant – $37,525 per year

Specialized MAs develop expertise in their field which makes them more valuable. They also earn more due to lower supply.

Other Salary Factors

Other factors impacting medical assistant pay include:

• Employer Size – Large hospitals, health systems, and clinics pay more than smaller counterparts.
• Years of Experience – Each year of experience results in an average of 2-5% more pay.
• Union Membership – Unionized MAs earn approximately 30% more than non-union.
• Overtime – MAs working over 40 hours per week earn time-and-a-half pay under federal law.

Read: 4-week Medical Assistant Program Online

Conclusion

While medical assistant salaries are relatively modest, they provide a respectable living for an entry-level healthcare career. The average medical assistant earns approximately $38,270 per year, with top earners making over $51,000 annually. Salaries vary based on state, specialty, experience, education, employer, and other factors. The high demand for medical assistants should lead to continued strong job prospects and salary growth.

Further Insights

1. Income Distribution: The data provides percentile wage estimates, which are particularly useful for understanding the income distribution among medical assistants. The 50th percentile, or the median wage, was $18.40 per hour and $38,270 annually. This means that half of the medical assistants earned less than this amount, while the other half earned more. The 90th percentile wage was notably higher at $24.86 per hour and $51,710 annually, indicating that a small percentage of medical assistants earn significantly more than the majority, potentially due to advanced experience or specialized skills.
2. Industry Insights: The employment distribution across different industries reveals that medical assistants are primarily employed in healthcare-related settings. Offices of physicians, general medical and surgical hospitals, and outpatient care centers are the leading employers in this field. This suggests that medical assistants are essential in delivering primary healthcare services and supporting medical professionals.
3. Location Matters: Geographically, the data highlights significant variations in both employment levels and wages. For example, California, Texas, and Florida have the highest employment levels for medical assistants, reflecting the population density in these states. However, the hourly mean wages in these states vary, with California offering the highest wage of $23.01 per hour. Conversely, in Alaska, despite a lower employment level, the hourly mean wage is substantially higher at $24.44 per hour, indicating a potential trade-off between employment opportunities and income in different regions.
4. Specialization Pays Off: The data also reveals that medical assistants working in specialized industries such as insurance carriers, management, scientific, and technical consulting services tend to earn significantly higher wages. This could be attributed to the demand for medical assistants with specific skills or the complexity of tasks in these sectors.
5. Metropolitan vs. Nonmetropolitan Areas: Metropolitan areas tend to have higher employment levels for medical assistants, but nonmetropolitan areas can offer competitive wages, as seen in Alaska’s nonmetropolitan area. This suggests that while job opportunities are abundant in cities, rural and remote regions might compensate with higher pay rates to attract and retain talent.
6. Variation in Education and Experience: Medical assistant wages can also be influenced by factors such as education, experience, and certification. Those with more advanced training and experience, or who hold certifications, may command higher salaries.

The data on Medical Assistants from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for May 2022 provides valuable insights into the employment landscape and wages in this profession. Firstly, there were approximately 752,460 medical assistants employed nationally, with a median hourly wage of $18.40 and a median annual wage of $38,270. This indicates that medical assistants earn a moderate income, making it an attractive career option for individuals looking to enter the healthcare field without extensive training.

Analyzing the industry profile, the data reveals that the highest employment levels for medical assistants were in offices of physicians, with 427,730 medical assistants employed in this sector. General medical and surgical hospitals and outpatient care centers also had substantial employment in this occupation. Interestingly, the highest paying industries for medical assistants were insurance carriers, management, scientific, and technical consulting services, and junior colleges. This suggests that medical assistants with specialized skills or working in specific settings can command higher wages.

Examining the geographic profile, California had the highest employment level for medical assistants, with 111,470 employed, and a relatively higher hourly mean wage of $23.01, indicating favorable earning potential. Additionally, nonmetropolitan areas like Alaska offered higher wages, with an hourly mean wage of $24.44, which could be attributed to factors like a higher cost of living in such areas. The data highlights the regional variation in employment and wages for medical assistants, emphasizing the importance of considering location when pursuing this career. In summary, the data indicates that medical assisting is a widespread profession with varying employment opportunities and earning potential depending on the industry and location.

Additional Information

• Medical assistants with an associate’s degree earn slightly more than those with a certificate.
• Medical assistants working in insurance carriers or consulting services earn higher salaries compared to those in smaller clinics or physician’s offices.
• Medical assistants in California earn 32% more than the national average for MAs.
• Joining the American Association of Medical Assistants provides access to salary data and negotiations guidance.
• Medical assistants with 5-10 years of experience typically earn salaries 13-18% above average.