Medical Assistant's Wages and Pay
Medical Assistant's Pay
Wages are commensurate with skill level,
responsibilities, and years of experience in the field.
However, when it comes to working in a medical
office there often are significant differences in pay
depending on the type of office they are in.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the median
annual wage-and-salary for medical assistants was $26,290 in
May 2006.
 |
"Don't Put Off Your
Certification! You Can Get All Info For
FREE!"

Takes only a few
seconds!!!
|
How Much Do Medical Assistants Earn?
How much do NEW medical assistant
make?
Medical assistant salary range surveys indicated that the
average monthly salaries for entry level medical assistants
currently range from $1,600 to $1,760 net per month, compared
with a range of $1,500 to $1,600 net three years ago.
How much do EXPERIENCED medical assistant
make?
After two years of experience average monthly salaries
range from $1,900 to $2,200 monthly net; mostly depending on
where you live and also what type of medical office.
Specialists pay more than general family physicians.
In 2006 the middle 50 percent earned
between $21,970 and $31,210 per year. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $18,860, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $36,840.
In 2008 the national average earning for
medical assistants increased to $37,000, the lowest ten
percent earned $29,000, and the highest 10 percent earned
$60,000 annual earining commensurate with their
education, qualifications, location, and years of
experience in the field.
What
Pays More? Primary Care, or Specialty
Care?
Primary care providers are essential to the healthcare
system, however, despite of the wide variety of skills and huge
range of responsibilities, they usually pay their medical
assistants less than specialty doctors such as those in
dermatology, allergy and immunology, otolaryngology, or
gastroenterology.
Working For Primary Care
Providers
Medical assistants working in a family practice usually earn
between $9.00-$10.50 per hour, which is much less than
their medical assistant counterparts who work in
specialty offices and treatment facilities.
Although family physicians and general
practitioners maintain a huge patient base
and treat a wide range of conditions, from sinus and
respiratory infections, to broken bones, they cannot pay
their staff the same wages that specialty physicians
typically can afford to pay.
Why the difference in pay? Because doctors
that have specialized in a certain field, such
as gynecology, cardiology, hematology, or
surgery can bill insurance companies and patients
much more for their services than family
physicians, which means they can also afford
to offer higher pay, and better benefits
packages to their staff.
|