Medical Assistant Pay - Salary Outlook
Understanding the Factors that Determine Salaries for Medical Assistants
As demand for health care increases, medical assistant pay is becoming increasingly competitive. In the effort to provide higher quality care for more patients, doctors and hospitals are hiring a growing number of physician's assistants to help administer patient and clinical tasks. As a result, the average hourly wage rate for medical assistants is increasing, which is among the many reasons why pursuing a career in health care is a an attractive option for beginning a career or transitioning from another industry.
The job outlook for medical assistants is strong
Over the course of the next decade, jobs opportunities in the medical assistant field are expected to grow over 35%. The growth is driven by a demographic shift that will lead to a larger proportion of the population (the "baby boomer" generation) in need ot greater levels of health care. Additionally, the shift from traditional medical practice to a new hybrid, clinical model has increased demand for medical assistants, and, as a result, over 150,000 new CMA positions are expected to open up over the next decade.
Increase in Medical Assistant Pay
Medical assistant wages are a function of experience and skills levels for a particular position. With increased demand, wages for medical professionals are increasing rapidly, with starting wages exceeding $30,000 in many cases. For medical assistants earning hourly wages, the average wage depends on the demands of a given position, and generally exceed $20 per hour with strong upward potential for experienced specialists. In particular, salary levels are greatest for assistants who work in hospitals, directly interfacing with patients. Over the coming decade, starting and average salaries are expected to further increase as well.
Medical assistant salaries are influenced by skills, responsibilities and geography
Based upon a medical assistant's level of training, salaries for CMAs will vary widely depending on several factors. One major factor that determines the average medical assistant salary rates over the course of a CMA career are the skill sets that allow medical assistants to take on a growing body of responsibilities. For professionals who have gained valuable experience in a variety of hospital and clinical settings, the demand for their services leads to potential for salary increases. CMA professionals working in large cities will have higher wages probational to the increased cost of living; larger hospitals also tend to pay more competitive wages than smaller clinics.
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