Work Environments and Salaries According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pharmacy technicians made an average annual income of $30,430 in 2012, while medical assistants made $30,550. The principal place of employment for pharmacy technicians is health and personal care stores, and the average yearly income for such positions is $28,940.
- The majority of medical assistants found employment at physician’s offices, which offered an annual pay of around $30,740 on average.
- Hospitals that specialize in general medicine and surgery were the second-largest employer for both of these professions.
- In this particular organization, the yearly salary of a medical assistant was significantly lower than that of a pharmacy technician, coming in at $31,750.
Colleges, universities, and professional schools were another common work setting where medical assistants earned less, with an average salary of $33,830 compared to the average salary of $36,960 earned by pharmacy technicians. This disparity was due to the fact that pharmacy technicians worked in more demanding and complex environments.
Where do medical assistants get paid the most?
The 10 States With the Highest Average Salaries for Medical Assistants – With an annual mean income of $45,490, medical assistants in Alaska bring in the highest money on average for their profession. The following is a ranking of the ten states that, on average, pay their medical assistants the most, beginning with the state with the highest average salary.
| Rank | State | Average Annual Salary |
| 1 | Alaska | $45,490 |
| 2 | Washington | $41,340 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $40,320 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $40,270 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $38,350 |
| 6 | Oregon | $38,260 |
| 7 | California | $38,250 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $38,040 |
| 9 | Vermont | $37,740 |
| 10 | New York | $37,560 |
More in this series: the average annual salary of architects in each state
What comes after medical assistant?
4. Nursing – There is a significant and growing gap between the demand for medical services and the number of competent nursing professionals who are available to provide those services. According to projections made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs available to registered nurses (RNs) might rise by as much as 7 percent across the country by the year 2029.
- The growing demand for nurses across the country is resulting in the creation of new career progression chances for medical assistants and other professionals working in the healthcare industry.
- “I have always wanted to help people, and a job as a medical assistant is a fantastic way to do that,” says Tiffany Norfleet, who obtained her degree in medical assisting from Herzing in 2018.
“I have always wanted to help people, and a career as a medical assistant is a great way to accomplish that.” “However, the next thing I plan to do is advance my education by enrolling in nursing school.” A career in nursing not only provides increased job stability and earning potential, but it also offers the opportunity to direct and manage patient care, as well as the chance to pursue specializations in pediatrics, ambulatory care, oncology, or other areas to become one of the many different types of nurses that are available.
- In order to become a registered nurse (RN), medical assistants must first receive an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing and then pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Medical assistants frequently have the opportunity to receive credit for past coursework as well as professional healthcare experience, which helps speed up the transfer to a new job.
Students who enroll in Herzing’s medical assisting program get comprehensive training that not only qualifies them for a variety of tasks within the medical assisting industry but also lays out a route for career advancement. Credits earned in Herzing’s Medical Assisting Program can be used to a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, or one of the several Nursing Degree Programs offered by Herzing.
- Students who have already earned an associate’s degree in medical assisting can finish their bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in as little as 16 months if they continue their education.
- In addition, there is the possibility for students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program to achieve both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration via a dual credit option.
Students who choose this emphasis will graduate from the MBA program with the strategic abilities and business savvy necessary to assume leadership roles in the healthcare industry. If you are interested in transitioning from clinical practice into management, then this program is the perfect fit for you.
- Are you having trouble deciding which way to go? Check out our advice on selecting the appropriate degree program in the healthcare industry, and get started on the road to professional progress right now.
- * The Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2020, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) inside the United States Department of Labor.
The figures provided by the BLS do not reflect earnings or compensation for entry-level positions. Career outcomes and wages will be influenced by a number of factors, including past experience, age, the geographic market in which you wish to work, and the topic of study pursued in college.
What business can a medical assistant start?
Develop Your Professional Skills as a Medical Assistant and Advance Your Career! – A successful and fulfilling career as a Medical Assistant can pave the way to a wide range of interesting and lucrative professional options within the medical industry.
- One of the best ways to get into the medical field is to become certified as a medical assistant.
- If you are interested in beginning a career in the medical field, Medical Assisting is an excellent way to lay the groundwork for doing so.
- There is a demand for medical assistants in virtually every sector of the healthcare industry.
Medical Assistants can be found in any location where one could find a doctor. The number of jobs available for medical assistants continues to increase. The contribution that they make to the operation of a medical practice is critical to its overall success.
The field of medical assisting provides both flexibility and advancement opportunities. If you are interested in a medical job that gives you the opportunity to work in a variety of medical specializations, you have a strong desire to help others, and you would like to further your career in the healthcare industry, then being a medical assistant could be the ideal choice for you.
The following are some career advancement opportunities available to a Medical Assistant. Discover Your Interests: Medical Assistants have a variety of options available to them depending on their areas of interest. Consider becoming an expert in pediatrics if you get a kick out of interacting with young patients.
Oncology is a subspecialty that you might want to consider focusing in if you find that you enjoy working in a practice that focuses on cancer patients. You even have the option of working in an emergency room. It’s possible that some Medical Assistants won’t discover what they’re truly passionate about until they have more experience in the industry, while others may already be doing what they love.
Make the Most of Opportunities to Advance Yourself: A Medical Assistant has the ability to further their career through many possibilities. Training as a Medical Assistant is an excellent platform from which to build upon or acquire new abilities. It is possible for Medical Assistants to advance their careers by acquiring new skills, advancing within their current employer, or applying for jobs at hospitals and larger medical groups.
Taking charge of your professional development demonstrates your passion and will make extra advancement chances available to you. Find a Place Where You Would Be Delighted to Develop: Acquiring more work experience is essential, but so is identifying opportunities for career advancement inside an organization.
You will be directed in the correct path if you devote your time and energy to an organization that has the potential for development. After demonstrating that you are capable of bringing success to your place of employment, you have the option of pursuing advancements inside the company or looking for new chances elsewhere.
Because almost anybody may train to become a medical assistant, this field offers a wide variety of exciting employment opportunities. A Medical Assistant Program that lasts 11 months and includes an externship that lasts 1 month is available via Healthcare Career College. There are a lot of externs that end up getting jobs in their internship sites, and then they go from there.
A person who completes this training will acquire the abilities necessary to function as a medical assistant. In addition, a student who is interested in increasing their earning potential has the option of either taking a test offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) or the National Commission for Competency Testing (NCCT) in order to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), which is a credential that is acknowledged on a national level.
- Medical assistants who have earned national certification are eligible for employment in any state.
- After graduating from the appropriate program, a Medical Assistant has this opportunity to further their career.
- The following are some potential job paths that a Medical Assistant may choose to pursue: Start your own healthcare company by working as a home health aide.
Home health care is provided to patients who do not require hospitalization but who do require additional assistance in order to remain at home in a secure manner. Someone who is interested in working in the healthcare industry but would want to be their own boss in that sector should strongly consider launching their own healthcare-related firm.
- If you want to launch a successful healthcare company, having a history in medical assisting is an excellent foundation to have.
- However, you may need additional resources to accomplish this goal.
- In order to achieve this objective, you will first need to take the steps of acquiring finance, developing a business plan, and consulting with an individual who has prior experience in the business world.
This is an excellent choice for you to make if your long-term professional goal is to launch your own company. Specialized Medical Assistant A Medical Assistant has the ability to work in a variety of medical subfields. What kind of medical subspecialty a Medical Assistant works in will be determined by how passionate they are about working in the healthcare field.
If you enjoy interacting with young patients, a subspecialty in pediatrics could be the appropriate choice for you. If you have a passion for assisting people who are battling illness, working in an oncology clinic can be the ideal job for you. There are not many restrictions on what you can do because there are options to work in the cosmetic sector as a medical assistant.
This shows that there are very few constraints on what you may do. First, you need get some experience so that you are familiar with the available choices. When you do, zero in on developing your Medical Assistant career in that area and make it your priority.
- In contrast to working with patients from the general population, the work you undertake as a specialist Medical Assistant is directed toward a specific subset of individuals.
- Choosing a professional path that focuses on a subset of the population might be a good option for you if you have the goal of working with those individuals.
Manager of the Medical Office After gaining experience with one company, you can decide to pursue a career in management there. If a Medical Assistant is interested in working on the administrative side of the healthcare industry, the next logical step for them would be to seek employment as a Medical Office Manager.
- Office managers are accountable for determining workforce levels, developing annual budgets, and overseeing day-to-day business operations.
- If you are interested in working in the commercial sector of the healthcare industry, then a career in healthcare management could be the path for you to take.
- Their contribution is critical to ensuring that a medical institution functions in a streamlined and effective manner.
Even though many companies need an Associate Degree for entry level office management roles, many Medical Assistants are able to work their way up to management positions just based on their experience working as Medical Assistants. Phlebotomist Some of the programs that train people to be medical assistants also include phlebotomy as an additional benefit.
- Becoming certified as a phlebotomist equips a Medical Assistant with the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform venipunctures and draw blood for testing from a vein or capillary.
- Phlebotomists have a better earning potential, and there is a need for their services in medical facilities like hospitals and clinics.
If you are currently working as a Medical Assistant but would like to increase your earning potential, obtaining additional certification in Phlebotomy may be a good option for you. Phlebotomy training is provided at no additional cost to students enrolled in the Medical Assistant Program at Healthcare Career College, which lasts for 11 months.
- Morgue Attendant Attendants at the morgue are responsible for transporting bodies to and from the facility.
- They provide assistance to the pathologist during autopsies and verify the identity of the individuals who have passed away.
- Becoming a morgue attendant is a good first step to take if you are considering a career in mortuary science, would want to work at a hospital, funeral home, or morgue, or all three of these places.
This is a vocation with a low barrier to entry; all you need is a little bit of medical experience or certification as a medical assistant. Additionally, when a death is connected to a crime, morgue attendants have the opportunity to concentrate their work in the field of forensic science.
They are accountable for the thorough collection, titling, documentation, and disposal of any evidence discovered during an autopsy. Because you will be collaborating closely with a pathologist, having a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology as well as anatomy and physiology will be of great use to you.
When looking for a career in the morgue, having experience working as a medical assistant gives you an advantage over other candidates since it helps you stand out from the crowd. The Instructor for Medical Assistants It’s possible that as you gain expertise in the field of medical assisting, you’ll realize that teaching is where your true calling lies.
- Someone who has a passion for medical assisting and has a desire to teach others how to become medical assistants should definitely consider applying for this position.
- To become a healthcare teacher may need years of schooling and a degree, but to become a medical assistant instructor, all you need is two to three years of experience working as a medical assistant.
This is a common misunderstanding regarding the requirements for becoming a healthcare instructor. If you feel that you were meant to teach, then a career in education could be the right fit for you. One of the best ways to get started is to become a teaching assistant.
- You will acquire the skills necessary to become a successful educator as well as learn how to interact effectively with a wide variety of student populations.
- This is not only a fantastic career path in its own right, but it also gives you the opportunity to give back to your community by assisting others in beginning exciting new careers in the medical field.
LPN or RN (Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse) Becoming a nurse might be the appropriate choice for you if you are interested in gaining extra clinical abilities in medicine and working directly with patients. If this sounds appealing to you, continue reading.
Because it provides training and experience in the fundamentals of medicine, being a medical assistant is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a career change. In addition, if you already have experience in the medical field, you will be at an advantage when you begin your training to become a nurse.
Even though nursing school may be challenging, having experience in the medical field prior to enrolling is always recommended. You will be able to concentrate on mastering difficult clinical skills in this way. There is a need for both licensed practical nurses and registered nurses at the moment.
- They are qualified to work in virtually any kind of medical facility.
- If you enjoy interacting with patients and are interested in developing your clinical expertise, then a job as a nurse could be the right choice for you.
- Summary In summing up, a job as a Medical Assistant does not restrict one to a certain working environment or professional track in any manner.
The field of medical assisting is very lucrative and offers several opportunities for professional development. It is possible for medical assistants to go on to pursue careers as company entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, and managers. They have the option of working in phlebotomy, being certified as medical assistants, or specializing their job to a particular population of patients.
- If you are enthusiastic about what you do, it will be easier for you to pick the path that will lead you to your ideal profession.
- Maintain a positive mindset and seize any opportunity that comes your way.
- Find a firm or a workplace where you can finally envision yourself making a long-term home for yourself.
There is always room for advancement in the field of medical assisting, regardless of what other career route you decide to pursue.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Although the precise period of time might vary, the majority of prospective medical assistants spend between nine months and two years getting the necessary training. It is necessary to complete a number of processes in order to become a medical assistant. These procedures include graduating from high school, completing training in medical assisting, and gaining certifications.
Where is the best place to work as a CMA?
1. The Big Apple, New York, New York – Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey are considered part of the New York City metropolitan region for the purposes of this ranking.32,000 people are employed, and the average annual salary is $40,020. The average salary in the 90th percentile is $52,160.
- $19.24 per hour is the hourly wage.187 is the overall value for the Cost of Living Index (National Average: 100) New York City is at the top of our list of the greatest locations to work as a medical assistant since it has more MA employment than any other metropolitan region.
- The most populated metropolis in the United States and one of the largest cities in the world, New York City is considered a megacity.
There are over 23 million people living in the metropolitan region of New York, and up to 63 million tourists visit the city every year. New York City is often regarded as the global center of the arts, finance, and the media. The city is home to a wide variety of attractions that attract visitors from all over the world, such as the 9/11 Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Broadway Theater District.
The Empire State Building is only one of the city’s many notable monuments, skyscrapers, and parks; others include the Chrysler Building and Central Park. In addition, New York City is unparalleled when it comes to the number and variety of restaurants, entertainment venues, schools and institutions, museums, and other cultural pursuits.
New York is known as “The City That Never Sleeps” due to the fact that its services are available throughout the clock. Additionally, it has the title of world’s most photographed city. Because there are millions upon millions of people living and working in the New York region, there is a significant need for medical services. 
Who makes more CNA or ma?
It was Brandy Gleason. MSN, MHA, and BC-NC Brandy Gleason is now employed as an associate professor of nursing as well as an entrepreneur. She has almost twenty years of varied nursing experience and currently works in a prelicensure nursing program where she advises students.
Brandy adds significant knowledge to the table as a leader and bedside nurse, having previously held positions at both the managerial and senior leadership levels. Her research interest and primary area of focus is in the field of resilience training for nurses and nursing students with the goal of preventing burnout.
When it comes to fostering conditions that are beneficial to the children’ well-being, Brandy is a passionate advocate for making positive changes. Featured Image: sanjeri / E+ / Getty Images
How much does a certified medical assistant make in NJ?
What is the average salary of a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) in the state of New Jersey? As of the 26th of July, 2022, the range of salaries for Certified Medical Assistants (CCMA) in the state of New Jersey is normally between $38,900 and $45,600.
- The average income for a CCMA is $42,200.
- There are a variety of critical elements, such as education level, certifications, supplementary talents, and length of time spent working in a career, that can have a significant impact on the salary ranges that an individual can expect to get.
- Recent searches that are relevant to these titles: Lead Teaching Assistant, All-Star Cheerleading Coach, and Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator are some of the jobs available.
Market Research Recruiter, Cable Tech, and Network Assistant are all positions that pay in a level that is comparable to that of a Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA).