Medical Assistant Wages and Pay

Medical Assistant Pay

Employers realize the benefits of having medical assistants in their practice and are readily hiring them into various positions at various levels of pay. Like in any other job, medical assistants are paid according to their level of training, specialty knowledge and years of experience. Typically, less than 1 year, 1 - 4 years, 5 - 9 years, 10 - 19 years, or 20+ years can make a big difference in a medical assistant's salary. Those who are certified and work in a specialty office, hospital or alternative medical and treatment facility usually earn more right from the start. Check out the ongoing discussion on "starting medical assistant pay" on our active forum.

How Much Can a Medical Assistant Earn?

Starting pay for a new medical assistant typically is $10-$12 hr depending on where they work. Initially, entry level pay is low but after a few months employers are willing to grant a raise. An experienced medical assistant (3 plus years) makes $15-$18 depending on what type of medical office it is and the location. Also, if they have special skills, such as being fluent in another language such as Spanish (bi-lingual), they can expect a little more pay. Also, specialty doctors typically pay more than primary care physicians.

Experienced Medical Assistant Pay

Many doctors running their medical practices have completely replaced their nursing staff with medical assistants, because of their vast array of knowledge, skills and flexibility in all clinical and administrative areas of a medical office. After 2-3 years of experience in the field, the national average monthly salaries for medical assistants usually range from $1,900 to $2,200 monthly net; mostly depending on the medical office's location and specialty. The national average earning for medical assistants was about $31,000 per year in 2008. The top ten percent earned up to $38,000 based on their education, credentials, certifications, years of experience, practice specialty, and location.

Which Medical Specialty Pays  More?

Medical assistants working in a family practice usually earn between $9.00 to $10.50 per hour. Although family physicians and general practitioners maintain a huge patient base and treat a wide range of conditions, from allergies, to respiratory infections, to broken bones, they cannot afford to pay their staff the same wages a specialty physician typically can.

Primary Care, Specialty Care, or Ambulatory Clinics and Regional Medical Centers?

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.

• Pay in a Private Practice vs. Medical Centers
  Private practice doctors and specialty physicians often pay more than medical centers.
  
• Pay from Primary Care Physicians vs. Specialty Care Physicians
  Primary care, e.g. family physicians, pay considerably less than specialty care physicians.
  
• Certified vs. Non-Certified Medical Assistant Pay
  Professionals with certifications generally receive better pay and benefits than those without certifications.

 

• Medical Assistant Wages - Pay - Benefits
  
  Insight into the medical assistant's wages and pay. In comparing primary and specialty care ... Who pays medical assistants more?
• Medical Assitant Pay Raise and Promotion