Whether you are going to college for the first time to become a medical assistant or you are considering a complete career change, there are many things to find out. One of the biggest questions always centers on compensation for a position like this. How much do medical assistants make? This varies considerably depending on the region you’re hired in, the company who hires you, certifications and any experience or other valuable talents you have. Lately, positions in the medical field have been increasing in number due to a higher demand of medical care. This is due in part to The Affordable Care Act making health care accessible to people who did not have access before, and also to the aging of the baby boomers. Continue reading for a detailed overview of salaries associated with medical assistants.

By Location

In the New England Area, medical assistants make around $15.49 an hour or $30,106 yearly. In the Middle Atlantic area the average pay is $14.86 per hour or $30,256 a year. The South Atlantic average pay is $14.03 an hour or $28,265 a year. In the East South Central region, the average pay is $13.29 an hour or $27,065 a year. The East North Central average is $14.25 an hour or $28,189 a year. In the West North Central area, the average pay is $15.53 an hour or $30,211 a year. In the West South Central region, the average compensation is $14.29 an hour or $28,886. The Mountain West Average salary is $14.33 an hour and $28, 386 per year. Pacific West region average is $16.85 an hour or $32,240 a year.

By Industry Sub-section

Within different subsections of the medical assistant industry such as a hospital versus a nursing home, salaries can also vary. When searching for a job be conscious of these differences and ask questions. A medical assistant’s experience is also a huge factor in how much they will make.

You’ve taken an incredible career step in the right direction by deciding that you want to become a medical assistant and now you’re wondering what you should do next to see this dream become a reality. There are several steps left in your journey, but don’t stress, because we’ll walk you through the steps below.

What type of medical assistant do you want to be?

The first critical step, is deciding which type of medical assistant career is right for you.There are two basic types of medical assistants.

• Clinical Medical Assistant
• Administrative Medical Assistant

You may love the bustling medical environment, but the sight of needles makes you uneasy, in which case you’d likely choose to become an Administrative Medical Assistant. You should also consider how much time and money each certification requires, the current job market for each, and your personal preferences before you decide which type of medical assistant career you wish to pursue.

Identify the right medical assistant program

Just like any important personal decision, a good medical assistant program must fit you and your career goals. There are several things to consider when choosing a medical assistant program and institution.

First, do you have the time it takes to devote yourself to the program? If you have a daytime job and the course is in-person during normal operating hours, this won’t work for you. In this case, you may want to consider enrolling in one of many online medical assistant training programs, which are gaining popularity due to their flexible nature. Second, cost.  Does the medical assistant program fit your budget?  Next is the program accredited? If you wish to be a certified medical assistant, you must enroll in a program that is accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or via the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). It is important to note, that regardless of your needs and lifestyle, there is a medical training program out there for you.

Once you identify what type of medical assistant you want to be and have enrolled in a medical assistant training program that fits your needs, all you have left to do is study hard and join a workforce of incredibly passionate and talented medical assistants!