Position
Salary

How much does a Medical Assistant make?

The average salary for a Medical Assistant is $44,854 per year in the US.

Medical Assistants play an important role in the healthcare industry, ensuring that doctors and nurses run smoothly. This job has a rewarding salary to match its importance. On average, a Medical Assistant earns about $44,854 a year. This average helps job seekers understand what they might expect to earn.

The salary for Medical Assistants can vary quite a bit. Some earn as little as $30,000 per year, while others can earn more than $60,000. Many factors can affect these numbers, like where you work, how much experience you have, and the type of healthcare facility you're in. The more experience and training you have, the higher your salary tends to be. Positions in big cities or specialized clinics also often offer higher pay. This means there is good potential to increase your income over time.

View Medical Assistant jobs nearby

What are the highest paying cities for a Medical Assistant?

San Francisco tops the list with the highest average salary for medical assistants at nearly $63,000 per year. Following closely, Seattle offers a competitive average salary of over $60,000. Santa Rosa also provides an attractive salary of more than $60,000, making it a great option for those in the field. Other cities with noteworthy salaries include San Jose, Vallejo, and Sacramento, all exceeding $54,000 annually. Minneapolis, Anchorage, Portland, and San Diego offer salaries close to or over $50,000, providing multiple high-paying locations for medical assistants to consider.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Medical Assistant jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $62,986 and Anchorage, AK with the lowest at $51,246.
  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $62,986
    Working in healthcare in San Francisco offers a fast-paced environment with numerous opportunities. Large health systems like UCSF Health and Kaiser Permanente provide top-notch training. Be ready for a vibrant city where patient care is a priority.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $60,936
    Seattle's healthcare sector is strong, with major players like Swedish Medical Center. Job seekers here enjoy a mix of urban living and professional growth. The city's tech-savvy culture makes healthcare work dynamic and engaging.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Seattle, WA


  3. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $60,020
    In Santa Rosa, healthcare workers enjoy a community-focused environment. Companies like Sutter Health offer comprehensive benefits. The area provides a chance to build lasting patient relationships.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  4. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $55,903
    San Jose's tech-driven economy extends to its healthcare sector. Working for companies like Stanford Health Care can be fulfilling. The area offers a mix of innovation and patient care in a growing city.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in San Jose, CA


  5. Vallejo, CA
    Average Salary: $54,722
    Vallejo presents a smaller, close-knit community feel in its healthcare jobs. Facilities like Kaiser Permanente offer solid experience. Job seekers will find a supportive environment with a focus on community health.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Vallejo, CA


  6. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $54,003
    Sacramento offers a balanced work environment with top employers like UC Davis Health. The city's laid-back vibe makes for a pleasant work atmosphere. Opportunities for growth and learning are plentiful.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Sacramento, CA


  7. Portland, OR
    Average Salary: $52,269
    Portland's healthcare jobs provide a progressive and inclusive environment. Working with local providers like Kaiser Permanente, employees enjoy a strong community focus. The city's green spaces offer a relaxing work-life balance.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Portland, OR


  8. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $51,957
    San Diego offers a sunny and active lifestyle for healthcare workers. Companies like Scripps Health provide excellent opportunities. The area's focus on wellness aligns well with the healthcare profession.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in San Diego, CA


  9. Minneapolis, MN
    Average Salary: $51,830
    Minneapolis provides a blend of big-city opportunities with a friendly, community-oriented healthcare system. Employers like Allina Health offer comprehensive benefits and career growth. The city's culture is welcoming and supportive.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Minneapolis, MN


  10. Anchorage, AK
    Average Salary: $51,246
    Anchorage's healthcare sector offers a unique blend of urban and outdoor experiences. Working for providers like Providence Alaska Medical Center can be both challenging and rewarding. The area values skilled professionals dedicated to patient care.
    Find Medical Assistant jobs in Anchorage, AK

What are the best companies a Medical Assistant can work for?

Catalyst Health Group offers some of the best pay for Medical Assistant jobs, with salaries reaching up to $1,008,528 annually. Panoramic Health also ranks high, with salaries up to $156,915 a year. Another top-paying company is ACT-IT Consulting, where Medical Assistants can expect earnings of around $90,000 per year. If higher earnings are a goal, consider exploring opportunities at these leading companies. They offer competitive salaries and often include additional benefits.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Medical Assistant jobs, highlighting Catalyst Health Group with the highest at $1,008,528 and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center with the lowest at $72,301.
  1. Catalyst Health Group
    Average Salary: $1,008,528
    Catalyst Health Group values their medical assistants highly. They offer top-notch pay and training. They operate in various locations across the country, providing diverse opportunities for medical assistants.


  2. Panoramic Health
    Average Salary: $156,915
    At Panoramic Health, medical assistants enjoy competitive salaries. The company offers excellent benefits and opportunities for career growth. They have locations in key cities, giving flexibility in where you choose to work.


  3. ACT-IT Consulting
    Average Salary: $90,000
    ACT-IT Consulting offers a good salary for medical assistants. They focus on providing a supportive work environment. The company operates in several states, offering varied job locations.


  4. El Camino Health
    Average Salary: $83,190
    El Camino Health provides a stable salary for medical assistants. They emphasize teamwork and professional development. Their facilities are located in Northern California, offering close-knit community settings.


  5. John Muir Health
    Average Salary: $75,283
    John Muir Health pays medical assistants well. They provide a comprehensive benefits package and a nurturing work environment. The company has multiple locations in the Bay Area, offering different job settings.


  6. North East Medical Services
    Average Salary: $73,849
    North East Medical Services offers a competitive salary for medical assistants. They focus on employee satisfaction and provide ample growth opportunities. They have numerous sites across several states.


  7. Cottage Health
    Average Salary: $72,831
    Cottage Health pays their medical assistants well. They offer a friendly and inclusive work environment. Their locations are in Southern California, providing various opportunities for professional development.


  8. Alameda Health System
    Average Salary: $72,492
    Alameda Health System offers a solid salary for medical assistants. They emphasize diversity and inclusion in their workplace. They operate in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering urban and suburban job settings.


  9. University of California - San Francisco
    Average Salary: $72,421
    The University of California - San Francisco provides good compensation for medical assistants. They offer many professional development opportunities. The university operates in San Francisco, providing a vibrant and stimulating work environment.


  10. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
    Average Salary: $72,301
    Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers a good salary for medical assistants. They focus on providing an innovative and supportive work environment. The center is located in Seattle, offering a range of job opportunities.

How to earn more as a Medical Assistant?

A Medical Assistant plays a vital role in the healthcare industry. This position involves both administrative and clinical tasks. Learning how to earn more in this role can lead to job satisfaction and financial benefits. A few key strategies can help increase earnings for those in this field.

First, gaining specialized certifications can lead to higher pay. For example, becoming certified in areas like phlebotomy or EKG can make a Medical Assistant more valuable. These skills often come with higher wages. Next, gaining experience and moving into leadership roles can also increase earnings. Roles like a lead Medical Assistant or a supervising assistant often pay more. Another way to earn more is to work in high-demand areas. For instance, working in large urban centers or specialized clinics can offer higher salaries. Moving to a new location with higher living costs can also result in a pay increase. Finally, seeking opportunities in outpatient care centers or private practices can provide better pay. These settings often offer higher wages compared to hospitals.

Consider these factors to increase earnings as a Medical Assistant. Specialization, experience, location, and work setting all play a role in pay. Taking steps in these areas can lead to a more rewarding career.

  1. Specialized Certifications: Certifications in phlebotomy or EKG can increase value and pay.
  2. Experience and Leadership Roles: Gaining experience and moving into lead roles can boost earnings.
  3. High-Demand Areas: Working in urban centers or specialized clinics often means higher pay.
  4. Outpatient Care Centers or Private Practices: These settings may offer higher wages.
  5. Moving to New Locations: Locations with higher living costs often pay more.

Currently 16,029 Medical Assistant job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Medical Assistant in the US?

Learn what a Medical Assistant does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Medical Assistant today.
Position
Overview
Medical Assistant
16,029 Job Openings