Medical Assistant Raises and Promotions

Primary care providers are essential to the healthcare system and there is a huge range of responsibilities and wide variety of skills which must be handled by their medical assistants. Unfortunately, because they get paid less for their services they usually must also pay their medical assistants less than specialty doctors. Specialty physicians in solo-practices often pay more.  

Education also plays a big part in wages, benefits, and pay. Although much remains to be done regarding the comparatively low hourly wages and lack of benefit packages offered to the medical assistant the career remains a great field to enter into. and stay for a while. Eventually with more education their level of income increases accordingly.

Level of Education Affects Average Individual Income

• No HS diploma.........$20,110.00
• HS Graduate...........$28,307.00
• Associate's Degree...$36,392.00
• Bachelor's Degree....$50,056.00
• Master's Degree...... $63,220.00

 
The majority of clinics we have seen that are hiring pay anywhere from $10-14/h for starting. Get certified, then get a job at a hospital, or at one of their outpatient, or urgent care clinics to earn more.

Is a Medical Assistant Degree "Worth" Getting?

Do you often wonder whether a degree in medical assisting is really worth your while?

AKCMA told us:
Mar 1, 08 - 10:50 PM

Re: Salary Survey - Responses Please
I worked for 17 years as a CMA/ER Tech in Alaska. I really enjoyed my job and was making good money around $55,000/year, including overtime. Two years ago we moved to Idaho. In an Urgent Care that is run by CMAs I went down to $23,000/year (with overtime!). I know money isn't everything, but I was insulted by the pay vs. responsibility ratio. So I took some action; I already had an AS with my Medical Assisting and I decided to I transfer some of my credits over to an AS in Respiratory Therapy. I will be finished in two months and I already have a job at the hospital where I am doing my clinicals. Starting pay will be $28/hour. I will keep my CMA current and also keep on fighting for some kind of regulation for this profession.

In conclusion: Since formal education in medical assisting is not always required, it appears as if many can be successful in this field without formal training. While this may often be the case, you don't hear much about those who fail. It is always better to invest your time and attention to proper education and proper documentation of this education! Over all, the level of education an individual has can make a major difference in the salary they will earn.

Tips to Get That Promotion

In an nutshell: medical assistants that have proven themselves will be more likely to get that raise. As a medical assistant who wants to move closer in line to the next promotion you must stay abreast of occupational trends, professional scope of practice rules and methods commonly accepted in the medical and healthcare field. You must strive to remain proficient throughout the course of your employ and take advantage of all advancement opportunities that come your way, including workshops, seminars, webinars, professional magazines and medical assistant certifications.