Medical assistants (or MAs for short) help out their fellow doctors and nurses by taking vital signs and communicating with patients.
How much does a medical assistant make? Median pay is $31,540 yearly or $15.17 per hour.
Wages do vary on the type of position and where it’s located. Read on to know where to make the most money.
Entry-Level Positions
When you graduate as a medical assistant, you then have your options of entry-level jobs that put your skills and education to the test. Let’s take a look at those.
Front Office
Working in a physician’s office expects MAs to handle phone calls, paperwork, and to interact with visitors and patients. They’re the first impression people see so being friendly and helpful is a must.
While there might not be a whole lot of action, it’s still a demanding job. Wages are between $12 to $15 per hour.
Back Office
If you like to be where the hustle and bustle is, then working the back office of a practice is for you. This area sees a lot more action as medical assistants are hands on with patients.
They work along side the doctor and nurses to assist with patient care. They gather important vitals and if needed, help with minor surgeries.
For this exciting job, wages start at $14 and can go as high as $18 an hour.
Hospital
MAs working in a hospital setting have tasks of clerical and clinical positions. They may be required to fill out paperwork, manage medical records and/or assist patients with feeding and bathing.
They must be able to multitask and sometimes hospitals do require that MAs have more education or experience. They may request instruments to be sterilized or sutures to be removed.
Again, if you’re looking for something with a faster pace, hospitals never close and there are always tasks to do. You can work with children or trauma patients.
How much does a medical assistant make? Wages start at $15 an hour and vary on up.
Floating
Medical agencies work with an abundance of hospitals and clinics that let them know when they need more working bodies. When that happens, the agency will then contact a medical assistant they have on file and assign them to that location.
Hours vary as well as days. Wages are between $16 to a whopping $20 per hour.
How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make? Highest Wages by State and City
While medical assistants are in high demand, how much they get paid vary by state and city. Here are the top ranking states and cities for median wages between $17 and $19 an hour.
Massachusetts
- Boston
- Cambridge
- Newton
California
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- Glendale
New York
- White Plains
- New York City
New Jersey
- Jersey City
Wrapping Up
Education is the key to gaining a higher wage. At Beckfield College, we’re dedicated to helping our students be prepared for future jobs.
We offer high-quality education in a student-centered environment with a variety of programs. Obtain a certificate or your bachelor’s degree.
When you graduate, we’re here to help our students gain their dream job. Speaking of a dream job, contact us today to set you on the path to becoming a medical assistant!