The Medical Assistant field is growing rapidly, and National Career College can help you start your career in this exciting industry. Medical Assistants are in high demand, and can find work in a variety of medical settings. Medical Assistants earn an average annual salary of $37,190, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to a great salary, Medical Assistants also enjoy excellent job security and opportunities for career growth.
What Is The Medical Assistant Job Outlook?
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for Medical Assistants to grow 16 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Global health concerns in the last several years have put an enormous strain on the healthcare system. The significant increase in demand for medical services has led to changes in demand for medical assistants. Therefore, many states have increased the range of procedures that medical assistants may perform.
In response to the increase in functions a medical assistant may perform (generally grouped as "extended functions/roles"), additional levels of certification are available and increasing in demand. The net effect to the medical assistants job outlook is higher demand for both certified medical assistants and specialized medical assistants.
How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in California?
California pays considerably more than the national average for medical assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary is $37,190 for medical assistant. According to Salary.com, in California the average pay for medical assisting is $43,046. As a matter of fact, California holds the top 7 positions for the highest paid city/area in the United States for Medical Assistants. These cities range from $48-60K on average for medical assistants salaries.
According to USA Wage, the top ten earning cities/areas for medical assistants are:
Rank City/Area Avg Sal Entry Sal #Emplyd
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA $60,080 $36,580 1,240
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $55,650 $37,110 13,670
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $54,920 $37,260 5,060
San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA $48,830 $30,230 3,940
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $48,810 $37,210 1,610
Napa, CA $48,510 $36,310 380
Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA $48,380 $31,750 6,180
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,030 $38,490 9,720
Alaska nonmetropolitan area, AL $47,840 $37,310 350
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington, WI $47,600 $37,430 6,980
Where Do Medical Assistants Work?
As a medical assistant, you can work in a variety of healthcare facilities. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical assistants are usually employed full-time. Depending on the hours of the medical facility, medical assistants may work days, evenings, or weekends. The top four employers of Medical Assistants are:
57% – Physicians Offices
15% – State Local and Private Hospitals
10% – Outpatient Care Centers
4% – Chiropractors Office
Within these organizations medical assistants will typically perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants are typically responsible for:
- Taking patient's vital signs
- Recording patient's symptoms
- Accessing electronic health records
- Assisting physicians with examinations
- Preparing patients for x-rays and other diagnostic procedures
- Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
- Schedule patient appointments
- Enter patient information into medical records
- Administering injections and medications (as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law)
Medical Assistants play an important role in the medical industry. Medical Assistants aid physicians and other healthcare professionals by performing both administrative and clinical duties.
For details read Medical Assistant Duties in California 2024
What Is the Career Path for a Medical Assistant?
The typical path into a medical assisting career involves two steps:
Step 1: Complete an Accredited Medical Assistant Training Program
Step 2: Become Certified
A medical assistant certification helps jump-start careers. There are several certifications available to individuals who have successfully completed an accredited training program:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - American Association of Medical Assistants
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) - American Medical Technologists
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) - National Healthcareer Association
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) - National Healthcareer Association
- Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) - National Center for Competency Testing
For details read How to Become A Certified Medical Assistant in California 2024
After a base certification has been achieved, some medical assistants choose to further specialize. The designation of those certifications is SCMA or Specialty Certified Medical Assistant. Some of the specialty certifications are:
- Cardiology (SCMA-CD)
- Dermatology (SCMA-D)
- Endocrinology (SCMA-END)
- Family Medicine (SCMA-FM)
- Geriatrics (SCMA-G)
- Internal medicine specialty certification (SCMA-IM)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (SCMA-OBG)
- Oncology (SCMA-ON)
- Orthopedic Surgery (SCMA-ORS)
- Pediatrics (SCMA-PD)
- Transplant Surgery (SCMA-TTS)
- Urology (SCMA-U)
- Women's Health (SCMA-WH)
Specialty certification is beneficial to medical assistants looking to advance their careers and increase earning potential. Medical assistants with specialty certifications can usually earn a higher salary than those without, making the investment in certification a worthwhile endeavor.
Why National Career College’s Medical Assisting Training Program?
Are you looking for an exciting career in Medical Assisting? National Career College's Medical Assistant Training Program is the perfect opportunity for you!
Our comprehensive adult education program offers courses taught by experienced medical professionals with the expertise to help you succeed. We also provide affordable tuition and fee schedules so that our Medical Assistant diploma program is one of the best-valued Medical Assistant Schools in Los Angeles. Contact us today to learn more!
If you're looking for a great accredited medical assisting program in Los Angeles, check out National Career College!
