The demand for healthcare workers is higher than ever. A recent McKinsey report found that healthcare worker demand could increase by up to 2.7% between 2021 and 2030.
This increase in demand is good news for you if you’re a current or aspiring medical assistant. No matter where you go in the US, odds are an employer is looking for your skills. The state of Georgia is no exception.
Medical assistant jobs in Georgia offer an incredible career outlook and earning potential. Before you can take advantage of these benefits, though, you’ve got to earn your medical assistant certification in Georgia.
This guide will help you do just that. So keep reading to learn more about where you can work and how to find jobs for medical assistants in Georgia.
How Much Do Medical Assistants Get Paid in Georgia?
Nationally, the median Medical Assistant salary is $37,190 per year. That means some Medical Assistants get paid more, and others command a lower hourly rate. Georgia’s Medical Assistant pay rate is much higher.
According to Payscale, the average Medical Assistant in Georgia’s largest city, Atlanta, gets paid $16.42 per hour. Medical Assistants can also expect to see a bonus ranging from $300 to $2,000. Combined, this equates to an average annual salary of up to $44,000.
The more experience you have, the more you can earn. For example, an entry-level Medical Assistant may only make about $15.39 per hour, while an experienced Medical Assistant could ask for up to $18.07 per hour.
Also, keep in mind that this average hourly rate will vary by market. You’ll generally earn less working in a smaller city. For example, the average Medical Assistant in Savannah, Georgia, makes $14.71 per hour.
What Is the Medical Assistant Job Outlook in Georgia?
The country-wide job outlook for Medical Assistants is growing much faster than the national average, 18%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the economy will add 132,600 new Medical Assistant jobs by 2030.
But you may be wondering: how is the job outlook in Georgia? The Peach State also has an impressive outlook for current and aspiring Medical Assistants.
Along with California, Texas, Florida, and New York, the state of Georgia employs the most Medical Assistants. Georgia also has a high number of Medical Assistant jobs to fill.
What Benefits Can Medical Assistants Get in Georgia?
Medical Assistants enjoy excellent benefits. The typical package includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance. In addition, some employers also throw in Life, Home, and/or Pet insurance.
You’ll also enjoy benefits like paid time off and tuition reimbursement. 401(k) match, where your employer matches every dollar you save in your 401(k), is another standard offering among Medical Assistant employers.
Where Can Medical Assistants Work in Georgia?
You may be surprised to learn how many options you have as a Medical Assistant. First, of course, you can work in the healthcare industry. However, there are also jobs available in other health-adjacent industries.
For example, you could work for an insurance company. Insurance carriers and other providers also happen to be the highest-paying employers of Medical Assistants. You could earn up to $52,970 a year as a Medical Assistant in the insurance industry.
More traditional employers of Medical Assistants include:
- Physician offices (15.6% of jobs)
- Outpatient care providers, including ambulatory care providers (up to 6.6% of jobs)
- General and surgical hospitals (1.9% of jobs)
- Employment services (0.4% of jobs)
What Do Medical Assistants Do?
The Medical Assistant job description varies depending on where you work. Here, we’ll discuss the duties and tasks expected of a Medical Assistant working in a physician’s office or clinic.
The primary role of a Medical Assistant is to act as a patient’s first point of contact when they come to the clinic. Your duties here may include greeting patients, administering medical paperwork, and managing billing-related matters.
Some Medical Assistant jobs require more hands-on work. This hands-on work could include taking patients’ vitals, recording information in patient health records or electronic health records, and performing lab specimen services.
Additional duties include but are not limited to administering vaccines and/or medications, triaging patients’ symptoms, and even doing electrocardiograms (EKGs) to detect heart rate.
Where to Apply for Medical Assistant Jobs in Georgia
The good news about getting a Medical Assistant position in Georgia is that you can apply online. Digital job boards like the following often post Medical Assistant opportunities:
- Google jobs
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- Monster
- CareerBuilder
You could also apply directly on an employer’s site if you know where you want to work. Simply head to the employer’s website and look for a “Career” or “Work With Us” section. Then, you’ll be able to browse available positions and apply online.
Finally, students of the Phlebotomy Career Training school can access our job opportunities board. You can search for open positions in Georgia and across the US.
Requirements to Apply for a Medical Assistant Position in Georgia
Like job descriptions, Medical Assistant application requirements vary by employer. For instance, some employers may require one or more years of experience and/or a Medical Assistant certification.
However, some jobs will accept applications from aspiring Medical Assistants who have yet to get certified. In this case, employers typically require applicants to earn their certification within one year of employment.
That’s where Phlebotomy Career Training comes in.
Get Certified in Georgia
Georgia is a great place to be a Medical Assistant. Medical Assistant jobs in Georgia are aplenty. Plus, they tend to pay higher annual salaries than the national median Medical Assistant salary.
Do you want to apply for jobs for Medical Assistants in Georgia? We can help you get certified. Check out our online classes and find the right curriculum for your new career!
Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.