Medical Assistant's Pay

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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. 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 salary. Those who are certified, and work in a specialty office, hospital, or treatment facility usually earn more right from the start.

How Much Do Medical Assistants Earn?

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 salary. Those who are certified, and work in a specialty office, hospital, or treatment facility usually earn more right from the start.

Starting pay for a new medical assistant is $10-$12 hr. 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 their 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. Specialty doctors pay mor than primary care.

Experienced Medical Assistant Pay

Many medical practices have completely replaced their nursing staff with medical assistants, because of their vast array of knowledge and skills, and flexibility in all clinical and administrative areas of a busy 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 Sub-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 Hospitals?

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. Hospital
  Private practice doctors, and specialty physicians often pay more than hospitals.
  
• 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.

 

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