Salary Information for Medical Assistants
How Much do Medical Assistants Make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for medical assistants in May 2021 was $35,850. However, it’s worth noting that medical assistants who worked in the top 10% of the profession earned more than $47,360 per year, while those in the bottom 10% earned less than $27,540.
The BLS also reports that the average annual wage for medical assistants varies by industry. In May 2021, medical assistants who worked in the offices of physicians earned a median annual wage of $36,710, while those who worked in hospitals earned a median annual wage of $35,630.
It’s important to keep in mind that these figures are based on nationwide data, and that actual salaries for medical assistants can vary depending on several factors, including the state in which they work, their level of experience, and the type of healthcare facility they work in.
The annual income of a medical assistant can be estimated by multiplying their average hourly wage by the number of hours they work in a year. On average, medical assistants work full-time, which is typically considered to be around 40 hours per week. This means they would work approximately 2,080 hours in a year.
How Much do Medical Assistants Earn in the US
Medical Assistant Salary Information by State
| State | Hourly Average Wage | Average Annual Income | Highest Annual Income (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Medical Assistant Salary | $15.09 | $29,900 | $37,660 |
| Alaska Medical Assistant Salary | $22.30 | $49,730 | $60,150 |
| Arizona Medical Assistant Salary | $18.17 | $36,680 | $47,250 |
| Arkansas Medical Assistant Salary | $15.47 | $32,610 | $37,990 |
| California Medical Assistant Salary | $21.53 | $38,080 | $61,800 |
| Colorado Medical Assistant Salary | $19.36 | $39,080 | $48,260 |
| Connecticut Medical Assistant Salary | $19.71 | $41,350 | $48,510 |
| Delaware Medical Assistant Salary | $17.52 | $38,800 | $47,780 |
| District of Columbia Medical Assistant Salary | $22.45 | $46,270 | $60,150 |
| Florida Medical Assistant Salary | $17.06 | $33,970 | $46,240 |
| Georgia Medical Assistant Salary | $17.05 | $35,180 | $46,450 |
| Hawaii Medical Assistant Salary | $20.41 | $40,280 | $48,520 |
| Idaho Medical Assistant Salary | $18.10 | $34,550 | $47,240 |
| Illinois Medical Assistant Salary | $18.23 | $37,710 | $47,370 |
| Indiana Medical Assistant Salary | $17.59 | $35,810 | $46,890 |
| Iowa Medical Assistant Salary | $18.41 | $34,320 | $48,160 |
| Kansas Medical Assistant Salary | $16.48 | $33,930 | $39,890 |
| Kentucky Medical Assistant Salary | $16.04 | $32,990 | $38,320 |
| Louisiana Medical Assistant Salary | $14.72 | $32,550 | $38,000 |
| Maine Medical Assistant Salary | $18.74 | $34,690 | $47,890 |
| Maryland Medical Assistant Salary | $18.89 | $37,440 | $48,310 |
| Massachusetts Medical Assistant Salary | $21.25 | $42,480 | $59,060 |
| Michigan Medical Assistant Salary | $17.14 | $34,620 | $43,790 |
| Minnesota Medical Assistant Salary | $21.16 | $43,190 | $48,510 |
| Mississippi Medical Assistant Salary | $15.21 | $30,090 | $43,120 |
| Missouri Medical Assistant Salary | $16.53 | $32,870 | $42,060 |
| Montana Medical Assistant Salary | $18.75 | $35,360 | $48,150 |
| Nebraska Medical Assistant Salary | $17.58 | $34,890 | $47,510 |
| Nevada Medical Assistant Salary | $17.74 | $37,140 | $47,040 |
| New Hampshire Medical Assistant Salary | $19.41 | $37,140 | $48,490 |
| New Jersey Medical Assistant Salary | $19.04 | $39,130 | $47,470 |
| New Mexico Medical Assistant Salary | $16.57 | $32,960 | $44,660 |
| New York Medical Assistant Salary | $20.24 | $39,920 | $48,510 |
| North Carolina Medical Assistant Salary | $17.14 | $34,430 | $46,210 |
| North Dakota Medical Assistant Salary | $18.00 | $38,030 | $48,170 |
| Ohio Medical Assistant Salary | $16.99 | $34,830 | $45,750 |
| Oklahoma Medical Assistant Salary | $15.49 | $27,040 | $38,000 |
| Oregon Medical Assistant Salary | $21.16 | $39,350 | $57,600 |
| Pennsylvania Medical Assistant Salary | $17.67 | $35,810 | $46,930 |
| Rhode Island Medical Assistant Salary | $18.94 | $39,840 | $48,490 |
| South Carolina Medical Assistant Salary | $16.48 | $33,370 | $45,070 |
| South Dakota Medical Assistant Salary | $16.29 | $31,160 | $45,240 |
| Tennessee Medical Assistant Salary | $16.90 | $33,820 | $45,840 |
| Texas Medical Assistant Salary | $16.66 | $34,750 | $45,850 |
| Utah Medical Assistant Salary | $17.10 | $33,470 | $44,850 |
| Vermont Medical Assistant Salary | $18.86 | $36,500 | $47,780 |
| Virginia Medical Assistant Salary | $18.43 | $36,820 | $48,170 |
| Washington Medical Assistant Salary | $22.75 | $44,540 | $60,150 |
| West Virginia Medical Assistant Salary | $15.01 | $30,670 | $37,970 |
| Wisconsin Medical Assistant Salary | $19.07 | $36,490 | $48,190 |
| Wyoming Medical Assistant Salary | $18.01 | $36,310 | $48,300 |
What are the Salaries of Different Types of Medical Assistants?
There are several types of medical assistants, including administrative medical assistants, clinical medical assistants, and specialized medical assistants. The salaries for these different types of medical assistants may vary based on factors such as education, experience, certification, and job responsibilities.
Administrative Medical Assistants
These professionals are responsible for tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and handling insurance claims. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for medical assistants in administrative roles was $36,630 as of May 2020.
Clinical Medical Assistants
These professionals work directly with patients and assist with tasks such as taking vital signs, preparing patients for exams, and collecting medical histories. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for medical assistants in clinical roles was $35,850 as of May 2020.
Specialized Medical Assistants
These professionals have additional training or certifications in a specific area of medicine, such as ophthalmology, podiatry, or obstetrics and gynecology. Because of their specialized skills, these medical assistants may earn higher salaries than those in general clinical or administrative roles. For example, according to the BLS, the median annual wage for medical assistants in ophthalmology was $39,180 as of May 2020.
How Can I Increase my Salary As a Medical Assistant?
Negotiate Your Salary
Negotiating salary demonstrates to an employer that a medical assistant values their work and believes that they are worth more than the initial offer. This can lead to higher salaries, as the employer may be willing to pay more to retain top talent.
Gain More Experience
As with many professions, experience can play a large role in salary. Medical assistants with several years of experience may be able to earn higher salaries than those who are just starting out.
Gain Additional Skills
Medical assistants who have additional skills or certifications, such as phlebotomy, EKG or patient care technician certifications, may be able to earn higher salaries. These certifications show employers that you have additional training and expertise in specific areas of healthcare, which can make you a more valuable employee.
In May 2020, the median annual wage for medical assistants who were certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) was $37,240, while the median annual wage for those who were not certified was $34,470.
Find Higher-Paying Job Opportunities
When searching for a job, it’s important for medical assistants to research the market and compare salaries offered by different employers to find the highest-paying opportunities.
Pursue Additional Education
Pursuing additional education in a specialized area of healthcare, such as podiatry, optometry, or cardiology, can lead to higher salaries for medical assistants. These specialized areas require additional knowledge and skills, and employers are willing to pay more to hire medical assistants who have the expertise needed to work in these specialized fields.
What are the Highest paying states for medical Assisting?
| State | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 17,360 | $ 22.75 | $ 47,320 |
| District of Columbia | 1,960 | $ 22.45 | $ 46,690 |
| Alaska | 1,700 | $ 22.30 | $ 46,390 |
| California | 97,640 | $ 21.53 | $ 44,780 |
| Massachusetts | 13,730 | $ 21.25 | $ 44,200 |
What are the Highest Paying Metropolitan Areas for Medical Assisting?
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 1,240 | $ 28.21 | $ 58,670 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 13,670 | $ 26.41 | $ 54,930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,060 | $ 25.90 | $ 53,870 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 1,610 | $ 25.74 | $ 53,530 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | 6,180 | $ 24.78 | $ 51,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 9,720 | $ 24.43 | $ 50,820 |
| Napa, CA | 380 | $ 24.27 | $ 50,480 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 160 | $ 22.62 | $ 47,060 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 6,300 | $ 22.41 | $ 46,620 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 650 | $ 21.95 | $ 45,650 |
What Are the Highest Paying Medical Assistant Jobs and How much Do they pay?
Podiatry Medical Assistant
Podiatry medical assistants work in podiatry offices and assist podiatrists with examinations, procedures, and patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants working in offices of podiatrists earned a median annual wage of $36,650 in May 2020.
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
Ophthalmic medical assistants work in ophthalmology practices and assist ophthalmologists with patient care, such as taking patient histories and performing diagnostic tests. The BLS reports that medical assistants working in offices of physicians (which includes ophthalmology practices) earned a median annual wage of $35,850 in May 2020.
Urgent Care Medical Assistant
Urgent care medical assistants work in urgent care centers and assist healthcare providers with patient care, such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and performing diagnostic tests. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for an urgent care medical assistant is $36,556 per year.
Dermatology Medical Assistant
Dermatology medical assistants work in dermatology practices and assist dermatologists with patient care, such as preparing patients for procedures and helping with surgical instruments. According to Payscale, the average salary for a dermatology medical assistant is $16.82 per hour.
Cardiology Medical Assistant
Cardiology medical assistants work in cardiology practices and assist cardiologists with patient care, such as taking vital signs and performing EKGs. According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for a cardiology medical assistant is $39,767 as of January 2022.
Can Medical Assistants make more with a certification?
Earning a certification as a medical assistant can often lead to higher salaries, as it demonstrates a higher level of competence and knowledge in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants with certification earn on average about 14% more than those without certification. Additionally, some employers may require or prefer certification when hiring medical assistants. There are several certification options available, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Do Medical Assistants Get Paid More With Experience?
As medical assistants gain more experience and skills, they may be eligible for promotions and higher-paying positions within their organization. Additionally, some employers may offer annual raises or bonuses based on an employee’s performance and tenure with the company.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2020:
| Years of Experience | Hourly Wage |
| 1 – 4 | $16.56 |
| 5 – 9 | $18.03 |
| 10 – 19 | $19.67 |
| >20 | $20.43 |
Additional Monetary Benefits of a Medical Assistant
In addition to salary, medical assistants may receive other monetary benefits as part of their compensation package.
Health Insurance
Many employers offer medical, dental, and vision insurance to their employees, and may contribute to the cost of the premium.
Retirement Benefits
Some employers offer retirement plans, such as a 401(k) plan, and may provide a matching contribution.
Paid Time Off
Medical assistants may be eligible for paid time off, which can include vacation time, sick leave, and personal days.
Holiday Pay
Many employers offer holiday pay for days such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day.
Overtime Pay
Medical assistants who work more than 40 hours per week may be eligible for overtime pay, which is typically 1.5 times their regular hourly rate.
Bonuses
Some employers offer bonuses based on individual or team performance, or for meeting certain goals.
Continuing Education: Some employers may offer tuition reimbursement or other incentives for medical assistants to pursue additional education or certification