The Salary of a Medical Assistant in Raleigh, North Carolina
Medical assistants handle administrative and minor clinical duties in a health care setting. Assistants work in doctor's offices, physical therapy facilities, chiropractic centers and podiatrist's offices. Medical assistants report to office managers or department administrators. They update patient medical records and arrange for patient laboratory services. They may also take medical histories and record patients' vital signs. Medical assistant's earnings vary by geographic location. In Raleigh, North Carolina, medical assistants earn more than the national average.
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Metropolitan Area Earnings
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in Raleigh, North Carolina earned average salaries of $30,040 as of May 2009. Raleigh area medical assistants held more than 1,200 jobs as of that time. Statewide earnings of medical assistants were $28,340. The factors that affect earnings include employer type, industry, experience level and job responsibilities.
Job Type
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The individual job type of medical assistants plays a key role in their overall earnings in Raleigh. For example, pediatric medical assistants earn average salaries of $26,000 annually. Alternatively, medical assistants working in the dermatology field earn average salaries of $33,000 per year. Raleigh area medical assistants who are registered and certified earn about $30,000 per year.
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National Earnings
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Nationally, medical assistants earned average annual salaries of $28,650 which is slightly less than Raleigh area assistants. Those who earned the most made more than $39,970, while medical assistants who earned the least made less than $20,750 annually, according to the BLS. Similar to workers in Raleigh, medical assistants across the country working in specialty fields such as dermatology and outpatient centers earned more on average than those working in general hospitals and doctor's offices. The highest paid medical assistants overall work in psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. The average earnings of assistants within this setting were $46,430 annually.
Certification and Employment
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The medical assistant occupation is expected to grow much faster than average according to the BLS. Assistants with training and certification will enjoy favorable job prospects and advancement opportunities. To be eligible for medical assistant certification, prospective assistants must complete a formal training program through a vocational or technical school, or a community college. Wake Technical Community College, Medical Arts School and the EPCI College of Technology in Raleigh offer medical assistant diploma programs that can be completed in 12 to 15 months depending on part time or full time enrollment. Upon successful completion, candidates are eligible for certification through associations such as the Association of Medical Technologists and the American Association of Medical Assistants.
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References
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