Medical assistant jobs are one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation. Demand is high because hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities are struggling to cope with the needs of an aging population.
That means plenty of job opportunities and great job security. Not only that, but a medical assistant salary is very competitive with other industries.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
While some medical assistants are trained on the job, most attend a community college or technical school and complete a one or two year degree in medical assisting. Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are generally preferred by most employers because they have passed an exam that was administered by a professional organization or have education or work experience in the field.
Pay Scale for Medical Assistants
The median starting pay for medical assistants, as of 2010, is $9.30 to $12.20 per hour. Experienced medical assistants can expect to earn anywhere from $10.20 to $13.40 or more. The mean annual wage for medical assistants nationwide is $29,450. States and metro areas with the highest medical assistant salary include:
| Top States | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| District of Columbia | $14.89 | $30,980 |
| Alaska | $13.68 | $28,460 |
| Massachusetts | $14.46 | $30,070 |
| Connecticut | $13.84 | $28,780 |
| Washington | $15.47 | $32,180 |
| Top Metro Areas | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $20.68 | $43,010 |
| Salinas, CA | $19.70 | $40,970 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $19.56 | $40,690 |
| Redwood City, San Mateo and San Francisco, CA | $18.55 | $38,580 |
| Rochester, MN | $18.31 | $30,090 |
Types of Employment for Medical Assistants
The majority of medical assistants work in physician’s offices. They typically earn an average salary of $14.10 per hour, and $29,300 per year. Those working for speech therapists, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors and other health care practitioners in an office setting are the lowest paid, and earn an average wage of $12.50 per hour. Meanwhile, those who work in general medical and surgical hospitals or psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals earn considerably more, with average wages of $14.90 and $20.90 per hour respectively.
Benefits and Perks for Medical Assistants
Benefit packages and perks for workers in this field are usually very generous, and often include 401k or other savings plans, vacation and holiday pay as well as health and life insurance. Not only that, but you may also receive education reimbursement and even bonuses. All of these benefits and perks increase the total compensation package for medical assistants by as much as 33.5%.
Tips on Increasing Your Medical Assistant Salary
When it comes to your medical assistant salary, there are two key factors: experience and certification. You can’t turn the clock forward and gain 20 years of experience overnight, but you can earn certifications in various specialties and these will allow you to command a higher salary. For example, many medical assistants choose to pursue certifications in ophthalmology, optometry and podiatry, just to name a few. You can also advance to other health care or nursing specialties through additional licensure, certification and education. You can even advance into office management or office administration.