How Much Money Does the Average Medical Assistant Make?

The average medical assistant makes between $22,000 and $31,000 per year.

When it comes to keeping a hospital or doctor's office up and running, medical assistants handle the day-to-day operations that keep the process going. Medical assistants often require certification or registration before they can enter the position. If you're wondering whether pursuing certification is worthwhile, finding out how much medical assistants make on average may help you make your decision.

National Averages

As of November 2010, PayScale collected data from more than 13,000 medical assistants to determine compensation levels and trends. From this information, an average salary range of $22,843 to $31,228 was calculated. In addition, the average hourly rate ranges from $10.80 to $14.53.

Benefits

The above figures do not incorporate the monetary value of health benefits, but such perks are offered with many medical assistant positions. According to PayScale, 66 percent of assistants are offered medical insurance by their employers, 39 percent dental and 27 percent vision. Still, 38 percent of those surveyed received no health care benefits from their employer.

Experience

PayScale finds that medical assistants with one to four years of experience have a salary range from $20,448 to $30,499. After five to nine years in the position, the range shifts to $24,879 to $35,008. The data shows that sticking with the profession can pay off, as medical assistants with more than 20 years of experience have average salaries reaching to just under $40,000.

Employer Type

Salaries range from $25,083 to $37,294 for medical assistants employed by traditional hospitals, the best-paying place in the field, according to PayScale's research. Those working in a medical office come next, with a salary range from $23,159 to $34,066. Next, medical assistants working for health care and medical service companies have top average salaries of around $31,000.

Location

PayScale puts California and New York at the top of the list for highest compensated medical assistant by state. Both boast a top average salary above $35,000 for the position. Florida, Georgia and Washington state also lead the pack with top average salaries around $33,000.