Medical Assistant Colleges

Becoming a medical assistant is one of the easiest and quickest ways to enter the medical industry. To work in this position, you need only on-the-job training, since there are no formal requirements necessary to start working in this position. Even if you do choose to get formal training, medical assistant programs only last one to two years. But just what can you expect to earn as a medical assistant? Let’s take a look at the average salary you can expect as a medical assistant.

Average Basic Salary as a Medical Assistant

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average medical assistant earns $29,760 annually, with the middle 50 percent earning between $24,370 and $34,450. Medical assistants who work part-time or on an hourly basis earn an average of $14.31 per hour. This rate can increase as you earn experience as a medical assistant. The top ten percent in this field earn over $40,190 annually, which isn’t too shabby for a job that requires no formal education!

Medical Assistant Salary by Location

As is the case in most fields, if you work in a location where demand is higher, you’ll make more money. Medical assistants earn the largest salaries in the following states:

• Alaska: $37,750
• District of Columbia: $36,790
• Massachusetts: $35,010
• Connecticut: $34,290
• Hawaii: $34,070

Specifically, you can earn the most in larger cities, with the highest salaries available in these metropolitan areas:

• Fairbanks, Alaska: $41,060
• Barnstable Town, Massachusetts: $39,390
• Rochester, Minnesota: $38,580
• San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, California: $38,450
• Vallejo-Fairfield, California: $38,100

Not interested in living in a major city? More rural areas where you can find high medical assistant salaries include North-Central and Central Colorado, Southern Alaska, and Northwestern Connecticut.

Other Factors Affecting Salary

As a medical assistant, you can also make more money by working for certain types of employers. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals top the list, where you can earn nearly $40,000 annually on average. You’ll also typically earn more money working for a larger company, and remember – benefits matter too. Benefits packages can include things like paid vacation days, health coverage, and more. Some employers will even pay for you to go back to school to get an advanced degree, so if you have goals of someday becoming an RN, look into employee tuition programs that may be available.

Guide to Medical Assistant Colleges

Below are links to the top online medical assisting degrees. Use the links next to the school to request free information about the programs it offers. If you are considering in enrolling in an online medical assisting program, please request information from at least four different colleges as each program has differences that are best explained by the schools themselves.

AS in Medical Assisting AS in Health Information Management AS in Medical Billing and Coding AS in Medical Office Administration	Herzing University — If you are looking for a well-respected school with a range of programs offered in the health care industry, Herzing University may be the right choice for you. Herzing University offers AS degrees in Medical Assisting, Health Information Management, Medical Billing and Coding, and Medical Office Administration. These programs teach you the foundation necessary to continue on to a bachelor's degree should you choose to continue your schooling.
AAS in Medical Assisting AAS in Health IT AAS in Medical Office Management AAS in Medical Office Transcription	Kaplan University — You can earn an exciting degree in various health care disciplines at Kaplan University. Programs offered include an AAS in Medical Assisting, Health IT, Medical Office Management, and Medical Office Transcription. The programs enable you to assist physicians, communicate professionally, and perform key functions in health care facility and lab settings.
AA Degree in Health Care AA Degree in Medical Records	University of Phoenix — If you are looking for a flexible college experience then the University of Phoenix may be the perfect college for you. With campuses all across the US and programs in the leading fields, this school will help you gain the skills necessary to get hired by company In exciting health care companies. Two prominent programs include an AA in Health Care and AA in Medical Records. Both programs offer an overview of records management practices and lay the foundation for bachelor's degree level coursework.
AS Degree in Medical Assisting AS Degree in Health Services	Keiser University — Keiser University is a prominent school that offers AS degrees in medical assisting and Health Services. A degree in medical assisting enables you communicate with and assist physicians in their daily activities. The degree in AS Health Services teaches you the skills necessary to work in different health care settings ranging from hospitals to health clinics giving you the ability to meet the health care needs of those you serve.
AAS in Medical Assisting	Bryant & Stratton College — An AAS in Medical Assisting teaches you the skills necessary for ambulatory settings and the clinical duties that are associated with this demanding field. Bryant & Stratton College has an excellent program offering this degree helping you remain competitive and giving you the skills that employers are looking for. Students in this program participate in active classroom and laboratory settings simulating real world environments.
AAS in Health Information Technology	Carrington College — Carrington College offers an AAS in Health Information Technology. This degree teaches you how to perform medical coding, process medical and insurance billing claims, perform clerical functions, and how to communicate with other health care professionals and patients. Successful candidates in this program can find employment in hospitals, medical offices, and insurance companies.
ABA in Healthcare Administration	Ivy Bridge College — If you would like to be able to meet the vigorous demands of healthcare professionals, an ABA in Healthcare Administration from Ivy Bridge College may be a great choice for you. This program teaches you to communicate in a professional manner using technical healthcare terminology, assist physicians and other health care professionals, and perform key functions in healthcare facilities.
AS in Healthcare Administration	California Coast University — California Coast University gives its students the vital skills employers are looking for in the healthcare industry. The AS in Healthcare Administration program is a broad encompassing program preparing students for jobs in a variety of healthcare settings and giving the framework needed for those wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree.
AS in Medical Office Administration BS in Health Services Management	Virginia College — The healthcare industry is a promising field in high demands by many great employers. Virginia College offers two degrees designed to give graduates a competitive edge in filling these positions. The school offers an AS degree in Medical Office Administration and BS in Health Services Management. These programs teach students the skills necessary to work in a wide range of settings including medical labs and hospitals.
BBA in Health Services Administration	Strayer University — Strayer University is widely respected for its top tier degree programs that prepare students for the vigorous demands of the healthcare industry. The BBA degree in Health Services Administration gives students the knowledge and skills needed to perform vital front office functions like medical coding and processing insurance billing claims.
BA in Health Services Administration	Baker College — A BA in Health Services Administration teaches you how to perform important clerical functions, communicate with coworkers and patients, and meet the vigorous demands in environments like hospitals and health clinics. Baker College offers an excellent program that will put you on the path to earn this degree promising to open up many doors to you with healthcare companies.
AAS in Medical Administration AAS in Health IT AAS in Human Services	Rasmussen College — Rasmussen College offers a plethora of degrees in the medical industry. Program offerings include an AAS in Medical Administration, Health IT, and Human Services. The programs teach you how to operate in settings like hospitals and clinics, perform medical coding and insurance claim billing, and how to effectively communicate and meet the demands of patients.
AS in Medical Administration Assisting	Fortis College — An AS in Medical Administration Assisting teaches you how perform specialized functions like medical word processing, being a medical secretary, providing important services to a physician as an administrative assistant, and working as a medical transcriptionist. Fortis College offers an excellent program enabling students to perform these important functions once the degree had been completed.
AS in Healthcare Administration	Brookline College — If you would like a broad degree opening up doors for a wide range of companies in the healthcare industry, an AS in Healthcare Administration may be an excellent program for you. This degree gives you the ability to work in hospitals, medical labs, and private healthcare clinics. You can earn this rewarding degree from Brookline College which is known for their quality education and stellar teachers.
AS in Clinical Medical Assisting	San Joaquin Valley College — San Joaquin Valley College offers the AS in Clinical Medical Assisting degree. This program teaches you injection administration, CPR and first aid, how to assist in minor surgery, perform basic lab tests, and complete front office procedures. This program helps open up doors in prominent companies in the healthcare industry leading graduates to a rewarding career.
AS Degree in Health Administration AS Degree in Human Services	Iowa Central College — Iowa Central College offers two excellent degrees in the healthcare industry which are in Health Administration and Human Services. These degrees teach students the skills necessary to perform vital front office functions in hospitals and other health care settings as well as how to effectively communicate with patients enabling you to assist in servicing their healthcare needs.