How Much Income Can You Really Make as a Medical Assistant?

If you’ve always wanted to work in healthcare, but lack the resources needed to commit to several years of schooling and you’d rather not take on substantial student debt, becoming a medical assistant is a great career path to consider. You can become a medical assistant (MA) in one year or less, making it the ideal career path for people who enjoy helping others.

The opportunity to begin working in healthcare quickly and earning a good salary early in your career is just one of the many reasons becoming a medical assistant is a good idea.

How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median national annual salary for medical assistants is $37,190. The top ten percent of MAs earn more than $48,170 annually. 

Annual salaries may vary depending on several factors. A full-time medical assistant may receive a benefits package including healthcare, vacation, holiday pay, sick leave, and a 401 (k) plan. According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), approximately 97% of full-time MAs receive benefits from their employer. 

Other factors that may affect salary include a medical assistants’ geographic region, work setting, years of practice, and the number of specialties they have. 

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant? 

If you are curious about becoming a medical assistant, you should know that this fast-paced allied healthcare career packs a big punch in terms of perks. Here are just a few of the many benefits of this job. 

Highly In Demand Career 

The career outlook for medical assistants is excellent. The BLS predicts employment for medical assistants will grow by as much as 18% from 2020-2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Given the growth of the baby-boom generation, the need for medical services is only expected to increase, intensifying the demand for qualified medical assistants well into the future.  

Fast and Flexible Training Program 

Medical assisting is perfect for students who know they need a college education but who are also anxious to jumpstart their career as soon as possible. While some healthcare-related degree programs may take several years of schooling to complete, becoming a medical assistant is possible in one year or less. 

In addition to short training programs, medical assisting offers flexible training schedules that are affordable and achievable for working adults with families. Medical assisting provides a unique opportunity for adults with busy lives to enter the healthcare field without having to jump through multiple hoops or start their new career with massive student debt to repay. MA programs are intended to accommodate working students by offering flexible day and evening class options. 

Opportunities for Advancement 

After becoming a medical assistant and gaining experience, there are many areas where MAs can find advancement opportunities. Experienced medical assistants can apply for positions as lead medical assistants, clinical team leaders, medical office managers, medical assistant instructors, clinical office managers, medical billing, and coding specialists, just to name a few. 

Another popular option for career advancement is to choose a specialty in an area of medicine that interests you most. A few examples include pediatrics, cardiology, and chiropractic care. The list of specialties is vast, giving you nearly endless possibilities to branch into and explore. 

Ready to Get Started? 

Are you interested in becoming a medical assistant but don’t know where to start? Athena Career Academy can help. Launch your medical assisting career on the fast track to success by enrolling in a quality training program designed to teach you the skills needed for employment in a modern medical facility. Contact us today to learn more about how to enroll or to schedule a campus tour.