According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assistants earn an average salary* of $35,720 ( or an average hourly wage of $17.17). The average wage for a Medical Assistant can vary depending on the industry in which they decide to practice or whether certification is earned.

What pays more CNA or Medical Assistant?

CNA salary, medical assistants make slightly more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for medical assistants in 2020 was $35,850 while the median salary for nursing assistants was $30,830 per year.

How long is medical assistant school?

Most medical assistant certification programs take about nine to twelve months to complete through a vocational school or community college. Some community colleges offer 2-year programs in which the end result is an associates degree.

Is being a medical assistant worth it?

3. It pays great and it’s stable. Being in a high-demand industry has advantages: It’s a very stable career, and the pay trends high. The average wage for a medical assistant is currently $32,946, and ranges between $30,377 and $35,570.

How can a medical assistant get paid more?

As is the case in most professions, racking up years of experience can help boost your salary. Though the median annual salary for a medical assistant is $35,850, the top 10% of medical assistants earn $50,580. Another way to increase your chances of higher pay is by earning a professional certification.

What comes after medical assistant?

Medical assistants can advance to RN by earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, then passing the NCLEX-RN. Often, medical assistants can earn credit for previous coursework and professional healthcare experience, accelerating their transition to a new career.

What type of assistant makes the most money?

Cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery topped the list as the highest-paid physician assistant specialty in 2020, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants Salary Report published June 16.

Do medical assistants draw blood?

The simple answer is no, medical assistants don’t draw blood, not unless they’ve received additional training. A medical assistant certificate that only covers traditional medical assistant skills doesn’t provide the training needed to draw blood.

What can a medical assistant do?

They can assist with basic medical tasks such as taking vital signs, administering medications per a physician’s orders, or gathering medical history. They also help on the office side of medical clinics by scheduling appointments, billing insurance, and processing paperwork.

What is the fastest way to become a medical assistant?

The quickest medical assistant program is six weeks long but most medical assistant training is three months or longer. Medical assistant courses vary from a total of 5 days to two years, depending on the certificate or diploma you are earning.

How hard is it to be a medical assistant?

While it does take some hard work, determination, and plenty of focus, the road to becoming a medical assistant is not impossible. Medical assisting, rather, is one of the most straightforward paths to a career in the healthcare field. In fact, it is now easier than ever to become a medical assistant!

How many hours a week do medical assistants work?

Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Some work part- time, evenings, or weekends.

Why are medical assistants paid so low?

Many factors lead to earning little hourly pay rates Yet many people are recognizing the MA(Medical Assistant) job as a low-paying job. The majority of medical assistants earn so little because of low-level qualifications, cheap doctors, locations, specialization, and level of experience.

What is the hardest thing about being a medical assistant?

The medical assistant workday also includes plenty of structure and routine so as not to be too overwhelming. Outside of the day-to-day responsibilities, the most difficult parts of being a medical assistant are related to the unexpected clinical and administrative “emergencies” that can arise during a shift.

Are medical assistants nurses?

Keep in mind, however, that a medical assistant is not an RN and therefore cannot perform nursing responsibilities that are only to be done by a licensed RN. Such responsibilities would include a nursing assessment, patient and family teaching, making a nursing diagnosis and utilizing the nursing process.

What’s the difference between medical assistant and LPN?

Overall, an LPN focuses on providing direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) and/or physician, while a medical assistant performs several administrative duties such as scheduling appointments or preparing insurance paperwork in addition to basic clinical tasks such as taking a patient’s …

What is good pay per hour?

The national mean salary in the United States is $56,310 according to the National Compensation Survey. That works out to be $27 per hour. So in order to be above average, you have to earn more than $28 per hour.

Can a Medical Assistant give a shot?

Medical assistants cannot start or disconnect IV’s or administer injections or medication into an IV. These procedures are considered invasive, and therefore, not within the medical assistant’s scope of practice.

Is a Medical Assistant above an RN?

Medical assistants work directly under the supervision of a licensed doctor or, sometimes, a registered nurse. A nurse works under their own individual license, whether they are a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. This allows for a wider scope of responsibilities than a medical assistant.

Do medical assistants use needles?

The equipment includes gloves, alcohol pads, needles, tourniquets, vacuum tubes, gauze and bandages. To protect themselves and the patient from blood-borne disease, medical assistants perform venipuncture with gloves on, there are no exceptions.

What do medical assistants wear?

A Medical Assistant typically wears scrubs. In addition to scrubs, it is sometimes suggested that a Medical Assistant wear a long sleeve shirt or t-shirt underneath for an extra layer of warmth. Some employers may provide scrubs, while others require you to supply them yourself.