How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?

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When you ask how much do medical assistants make, there are many variables that must be considered. Based on surveys taken the average range of income for the medical assistant is between $30,000 and $40,000 per year. The variables include the amount and quality of the education you received, the type of facility you are employed by, and the location in which you work.

Five of the highest paying markets are in Alaska, Connecticut, Washington DC, Washington State, and Massachusetts. No matter where you work, experience will increase your income. Being a medical assistant is a job for someone who is good with people, who has a genuine desire to help people, can be self-motivated, but can work well on a team and someone who is very detail oriented.

Training and Job Outlook

Now that you have a good understanding of how much medical assistants make and you have an idea what they look for in individual qualities, you may be looking for the right education facility to get you trained and working as soon as possible.

There are several different degrees available to you from a one year certificate program that will set you up for employment in a doctor’s office, or you can choose a two year associate’s degree that will prepare you for work in a private practice and for some hospital positions, dialysis centers and urgent care centers.

You also have options for earning a bachelor’s degree which will allow you to obtain employment in a federal facility for much better pay. Federal facilities include prisons and veterans hospitals. The master’s degree in medical assisting will prepare you for a position in teaching other medical assistant applicant’s.

Many of the schools who offer medical assistant training will also offer opportunities for internships for additional hands-on practice and many offer job placement assistance after you graduate.