The Salary for a Medical Assistant in Utah

Medical assistants perform the routine duties that keep a doctor's office running.

Medical assistants handle the many routine duties that keep medical offices running. This may include filing paperwork, scheduling appointments, explaining procedures to patients and taking vital signs. Medical assistants typically complete 1 to 2 years of training for their job, though some are trained on site. There is no mandated certification or licensure for medical assistants in the United States.

Hourly Wage

In the state of Utah, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean hourly wage of $12.95 for medical assistants as of May 2009. This is lower than the national average of $14.16 for this profession. Medical assistants with earnings in the top 10 percent of their profession earn more than $17.30 an hour in Utah. Those in the bottom 10 percent make less than $9.90 an hour.

Annual Salary

The mean annual salary for Utah medical assistants as of May 2009 is $26,940. This, too, is lower than the national average of $29,450. Those with earnings in the top 10 percent in Utah make more than $35,980. Earnings in the bottom 10 percent are less than $20,580. Experience and training have a big impact on the earnings of medical assistants. Though not required, those who opt to obtain certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants or the Association of Medical Technologists can command a higher salary.

Location

As of May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Utah employs 5,430 medical assistants. The majority of these are located in Salt Lake City. As both the state capital and the largest city in Utah, Salt Lake City employs 2,610 medical assistants. Wages here are above average at $13.63 hourly, or $28,350 annually. St. George, Utah employs the highest concentration of medical assistants in the United States. Wages here are about average at $12.93 hourly or $26,890 annually.

Opportunities

Nationally, medical assistants can expect excellent job opportunities in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an increase of 34 percent for this occupation over the 2008 to 2018 decade. This is much faster than the national average. The vast majority of medical assistants work in physicians' offices. General medical and surgical hospitals employ the second largest concentration of medical assistants.

References

• Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Medical Assistants
• Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009: Medical Assistants