Medical Assistant Salary – How much do Medical Assistants Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assistant is one of the fastest growing career fields. They perform many varied duties within a physician’s office, hospital, or medical center. Their job roles are specific to each employer and vary from office to office. For this reason, medical assistant wages also vary quite a bit. There are several factors that influence a medical assistant’s pay.

Location

Geographic location is a big variable in the salaries of medical assistants. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report that showed the breakdown of the average medical assistants’ salaries by state. There was quite a difference in the average annual salaries of medical assistants, depending on the state.

According to the BLS report, the average annual salary of medical assistants in Maine, for example was $29,480, in Ohio it was $27,370, and in New Jersey it was $32,760.

To find the average annual salary of medical assistants in your state, contact the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can find a complete listing of these salaries, by state, on their website.

Medical Industry Salaries

The industry in which a medical assistant works also significantly influences his or her salary. In that same report, the BLS listed the average salaries of medical assistants, broken down by industry. Like geographical location, the particular industry in which a medical assistant works has a huge effect on his or her salary. According to the report, the annual mean wages of medical assistant, by industry, are as follows:

  • Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals : $39,220
  • Offices of Dentists: $36,880
  • Scientific Research and Development Services: $35,550
  • Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities: $34,180
  • Insurance Carriers: $34,080

Is the Salary of Medical Assistants Fair?

You may consider a medical assistant’s salary to be low compared to other professions.
But wait…

Whether or not you find a medical assistant’s salary desirable, there’s another factor that you should consider about becoming a medical assistant—job security.

The BLS predicts a 34 percent increase in the medical assistant field over the 2008 to 2018 time period. This figure puts medical assisting firmly in the ranks of one the fastest growing occupations.

Moreover, there doesn’t seem much that could stop the growth of this occupation. Medical facilities are expanding on a daily basis. The aging population is living longer. Preventative medicine is becoming very popular.

All of this ensures that you will always have a job in medical assisting, if you want one, and that your job should be fairly secure. Plus you get to make a positive difference in many people’s lives. How great is that?

Featured Medical Assisting Schools

  • Campus
    Keiser University eCampus Online
    Program
    • Associate of Science in Medical Assisting

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Kaplan University Online
    Program
    • AAS in Medical Assisting

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    National American University Online
    Program
    • Medical Administrative Assistant

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Penn Foster
    Program
    • Medical Administrative Assistant

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Allied Schools
    Program
    • Medical Assisting

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Harrison College Online (2) (Outside IN)
    Harrison College Online (Indiana Only)
    Program
    • Medical Assistant

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Los Angeles
    Ontario
    Riverside
    Program
    • Associate of Science; Medical Administrative Specialist
    • Associate of Science in Medical Assisting

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Career Point College Online
    Program
    • AAS in Medical Administrative Assisting

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Bay State College
    Program
    • Medical Assisting
    • Medical Assisting

    Learn more about this school

  • Campus
    Columbus - OH
    Lafayette
    Elkhart
    Evansville
    Fort Wayne
    Terre Haute
    Columbus - IN
    Muncie
    Indianapolis - Downtown
    Anderson
    Indianapolis - East
    Program
    • Medical Assistant
    • Medical Office Assistant

    Learn more about this school

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  • Princesssummer013

    this info was very helpful, considering that i am thinking about becoming a medical assistant it seems to be and excellent career choice. 

  • Grigsbyvennessa

    I just enrolled in a medical assistant course and reading this information just confirmed my decision thaks for posting all the pro and no cons to this career.

  • Justinkritzer23

    I currently just finished up my courses for medical assistant administrator and received my associates degree. Truth is once you get out of school it is probably the hardest time to find a job lots of places want experience. Truth that aside im hands down all around happy that I went in this direction in choices of careers. Job security plus the ability to grow you are always learning. Sorry if their is any typos people smart phones like to spell things themselves some times

  • B Berry93

    upon graduating do u think it would be easier to find an internship and then use that as your experience? I just graduated high school and just started looking into medical assisting. I would like to be an OBGYN assistant. Do you have any thoughts/tips about schooling? Did you do online classes?

  • Deanna

    I am considering going into medical assisting. I have my concerns if I have the aptitude for it. however I am looking for a good school. A friend told me she is going to Everest said she is very happy there. I was considering Bay Area medical academy in San Francisco, California. Has anyone gone to either of these schools? I am looking for for some feedback.

  • BB

    I went to everest for my medical assistant degree and loved it there. They really make sure your ready for the job. With all the hands on work we did it made me less nervous as well as ready at work. I graduated in 2009 and am now making 30 plus a year so it was worth it to me.

  • Kittyquaz

    I have been a medical assistant in Family Practice since Fall 2004.  Went to High-Tech Institute (sister of University of Phoenix) straight after graduating high-school in 2003, and hated it. VERY unprofessional.
    I started out making $11/hr; was hired on by internship. This was all in Orlando, Fl. My raises each year were $0.25/hr….
    May 2006 I moved to Knoxville, TN, where I currently am. 
    I didn’t pursue a “real” job until March 2007, once I decided this is where I am going to stay. 
    I have been with the same company since 3/2007 to present (7/2011). I was started BACK out at $11/hr, even though I was making $11.50 previously (company policy/’lack’ of experience). 
    This company does pay raise by scale; 1%-5% pay raise once per year at time of yearly evaluation. I get my 3rd evaluation next week (for 4 years of experience with this company), and am currently making around $13.25/hr. My 2 previous raises were 4.5%. My yearly wages for 2010 BEFORE taxes were upper $27,000, which included many 60hr weeks (time and a half after 40hr/wk). Any time off I used vacation or sick time. 
    My company recently stopped allowing overtime, so I am now $400-$500 less/month. 
    Currently, with 7 years experience, 4yrs this company, I make 13.25/hr (BIweekly paychecks), 40 hr work weeks= between $800-$850 take home ($60/paycheck taken out for medical+dental). $1600-$1750/mo.

    Hope this helps

  • Js

    I enrolled in a Medical Assistant program Aug 2010, completed diploma program May 2011. Currently employed; start Aug 1 2011… starting salary $13 hr. Great Luck to all of you. I will complete my MA & Phebotomy Cert. this next month…could I have received better pay with certifications. Maybe?

  • Atreat9

    Hello I am currently enrolled at everest for there medical assistant program and i just wanted to ask you a few questiond if you email me to atreat9@yahoo.com
    @yahoo:disqus I would appreciate it..

  • guest

    I’m just now graduating high school, and i was wanting to look into  becoming a medical assistant. And i read the information for becoming a medical assistant and it really made me want to know more about it so i think that’s what I’m going to go for it really found my interest.

  • Lori Jackson

    I have been a CMA for 18 years.  When I got out of school, I went to the temp services.  It was the best thing for me.  I tried all the areas of medical assisting and I found which one was the best for me.  I have been working with our Health dept. for 15 years now.

  • Rep 777God

    how much do medical assistants make in Naples, Florida?!?…if they work in
    Naples COmmunity Hospital?

  • karii

    Thanks for this information … Now Im taken a M.A. coursses

  • Pdxjen321

    I went to Everest and have now been an MA for 3 years. I really enjoy the job and if you do a good job the sky is the limit. I am currently suturing up surgeries, performing skin biopsies and doing just as much as the RN at my work. The only downside is I am getting paid considerably less than her to essentially do the same thing. Still, $17 an hr isn’t too bad and it is climbing steadily for me every year. So I am all in all very happy with my choice.

  • Nigaryt

    I attended Everest here in Chicago and graduated. Its been six months and I have yet to find work. I am at my wits end because I keep hearing negative things about the school and I’m starting to believe this is the reason I can’t find work

  • Kayla Lee

    If you go into a medical assisting program at an accredited school, most offer an externship as part of the curriculum.