Have you considered a job as a medical assistant? Medical assistants help healthcare staff, nurses, and physicians by performing clinical and administrative tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Scheduling appointments
- Taking vital signs
- Maintaining medical records
- Patient preparation
In the United States, there is a projected 18 percent growth in employment for medical assistance between the years 2020 to 2030. This increases the chances of job opportunities overall, but how does it impact those medical assistants working in Florida?
Continue reading to find out more about medical assistant salary in Florida and how you can potentially increase it.
Average Medical Assistant Salary in Florida
In the United States, the average salary for a medical assistant is $37, 819 and the average hourly rate of $16.01. The average for a medical assistant in Florida is $35,928, and the average hourly wage is $15.47.
The variation in salary and hourly pay is dependent on experience, education, and work setting. Luckily, there are ways to increase your income as a medical assistant.
How to Increase Salary as a Medical Assistant
As previously stated, income is primarily dependent on experience, education, and work setting. Let’s take a closer look at why these can impact your income as a medical assistant.
Education
There is no required training or education for medical assistants in Florida, but certifications are greatly encouraged in this industry. Certifications will allow potential employers to know that you have high-level skills.
For example, certifications such as EKG technicians and Phlebotomy technicians are desirable skills. Therefore, you are more likely to receive a higher income than those without these certifications.
Experience
Similar to other jobs, experience is critical as a medical assistant. Specialty skills are often developed through extensive experience in a particular setting.
For example, if you have worked extensively as an EKG technician, you can advance into different departments with higher salaries. Why? The department will not have to spend extra time training you. You already have the foundation of being a great asset to the team.
Work Setting
Where you choose to work does impact your salary. Medical assistants can work anywhere from private practice offices to care centers. Those employed in outpatient care centers tend to make a higher average salary than those with private practice jobs.
Also, it can be helpful to consider what city you want to live in and compare it to the cost of living in Florida. Salary does vary based on population.
The Average Medical Assistant Salary in Florida by City
City                                       Hourly Wage                         Annual Salary
Jacksonville               $15.07                  $35,845
Miami                   $15.60                  $36,817
Tampa                  $15.32                  $35,996
Orlando                 $15.17`                  $35,997
Tallahassee               $14.04                   $34,302
Gainesville                             $14.69                                     $34,412
Lakeland                                $13.07                                    $35,767
Fort Myers                $15.40                   $35,1687
As demonstrated in this city comparison, there is a salary difference based on city location and population. Those medical assistants that are employed in a larger city make more on average. This also correlates to the hourly wage offered in these select cities.
These salary differences may be caused by the cost of living in the higher population cities. This may impact how you view the total amount of income that you receive in Florida.
Luckily as a medical assistant in Florida, there is always room to grow and a variety of job opportunities to pick from. Even when you are first beginning your career.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
If you are looking to start your career as a certified medical assistant, Phlebotomy Career Training has a variety of classes. Classes consist of various certifications and allow you to go at your own pace through the curriculum.
Phlebotomy Career Training knows that everyone’s educational goals are different and so are their starting points.
Here are a few classes Phlebotomy Career Training offers:
Tier I Medical Assistant Classes
The course curriculum consists of 996 hours of course instructions, and it requires 204 hours of a clinical internship. After passing the exam, students will receive a Medical Assistant Certification. Courses can be completed in a minimum of six weeks.
Tier II Medical Assistant Classes
The required curriculum consists of 1200 hours of clinical medical assistant externship, 40 hours of shadowing a physician, and fulfilling a blood drawing quota of 35. Upon passing the exams, students will receive six certifications. The courses can be completed in as little as 14 weeks.
Tier III Medical Assistant Classes
Tier III curriculum consists of several required externships such as 204 hours of Medical Assistant observation and training, completing 30 venipunctures, and 40 hours of live EKGs observations. After completion, students will receive eight certificates. The curriculum must be complete in six months.
Tier IV Medical Assistant Classes
Upon completion of Tier IV requirements, students will receive 12 certifications and five national exams. Students must complete 204 hours of Medical Assistant observation and training, conduct 30 venipunctures, and observe 40 hours of live EKGs.
Overview of Medical Assistants in Florida
There is a correlation between educational experience and the amount of salary that you earn as a medical assistant. That does not change for aspiring medical assistants in Florida.
Becoming a certified medical assistant in Florida is possible because of classes offered at Phlebotomy Career Training. They not only help start your career but teach you invaluable skills. These can only help you increase your medical assistant salary and job opportunities.
Be part of the growing demand for medical assistants and contact us today with further questions. Start pursuing your education today.
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.