Over 18 million people work in healthcare, yet the demand for more healthcare workers is still very high. When you have a career in the healthcare industry, you can be sure that you have job security.
But, what if you want to work in healthcare but not as a doctor or a nurse? You might be a good fit as a medical assistant.
What does a medical assistant do and what is the medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania? In this article, you’ll learn more about being a medical assistant and what to expect when it comes to salary.
Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania
So how much do medical assistants make in Pennsylvania? The median salary for a medical assistant is $38,151, but it could be more depending on your location, duties, and experience. This equals out to be about $17-18 per hour.
Salary growth increases every few years depending on your experience. As you grow in your medical assistant career you can make around $46,000 per year.
Aside from your salary, many companies offer a great benefits package for their employees such as retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, paid time off, holidays, health savings accounts, vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, and more. Be sure to inquire about the benefits package when you’re job searching.
Perks of Being A Medical Assistant
Aside from a great salary and opportunities for growth, there are other reasons to consider a career as a medical assistant.
Less Time in School
On average, a college student spends four years in college obtaining their undergraduate degree. For medical assistants, you spend about 1-2 years, sometimes less, getting your certification. This means less time in school and more time in the workforce building your career and living your life.
Save Money
Undergraduate degrees cost you thousands of dollars per year. A medical assistant certification costs significantly less, so you save a ton of money.
Flexible Scheduling
To become a medical assistant, you will need certification, but it doesn’t have to involve all of your time. Many medical assistant courses can be completed online, which allows for flexible scheduling, especially if you’re making a career change.
However, if you enjoy being with other people and learning in person, there are classes available to you as well. For some medical assistant clinical, you will need in-person training, so make sure you’re available for that or that it’s close to you.
Begin Your Career Quickly
Because medical assistants are in high demand, you can likely find a job quickly or right after graduation. Some schools work with you to help you polish your resume and work on interviewing skills so you can land the job you want.
Growth
Medical assistant jobs are not stagnant. For many medical assistants, there are higher certifications and classes you can take to expand your education so you can earn a higher salary. As you work, you’ll be eligible for these courses, and you can take many of them online so you can maintain a work-life balance.
Your Future As A Medical Assistant
Is it really possible to have a rewarding career as a medical assistant?
The job growth for medical assistants is growing substantially. Over the next 10 years, the rate of demand is expected to grow by 16%, which is faster than normal for health care careers.
Your duties as a medical assistant might include:
- Answering phone calls and scheduling appointments
- Paperwork
- Some clinical work, like taking vitals or drawing blood
- Greeting patients
- Keeping patient records up-to-date
- Cleaning the office
- Assisting doctors or nurses with various tasks
- Performing routine tests for patients
Many of your duties depend on your work area and what’s needed at the office.
By earning your education as a medical assistant, you can work almost anywhere: doctor’s offices, government offices, public health, private offices, and more. If you need to relocate, you should not have trouble finding work in this career.
Working with people in healthcare means you have the opportunity to make a difference and help people. Because the demand is so high, you’ll have the ability to work almost anywhere.
Many medical assistants work full-time hours, but part-time hours are available. This allows people who have families and other duties to have a rewarding career while managing other parts of their lives.
Medical Assistant Salaries Across Pennsylvania
Medical assistant salaries vary across the state of Pennsylvania. Here are some other hourly salaries by city:
Philadephia: $18.81 per hour
Lancaster: $17.66 per hour
Allentown: $20.72 per hour
Pittsburg: $17.87 per hour
Lansdale: $17.83 per hour
Bethlehem: $17.83 per hour
York: $17.07 per hour
Harrisburg: $16.91 per hour
Erie: $15.27 per hour
These are some of the highest paying cities for being a medical assistant in the state of Pennsylvania. It’s important to remember that salaries fluctuate based on location, demand, and experience.
Becoming A Medical Assistant
You can have a medical assistant certification in as little as 6 weeks or up to 6 months! There are a few requirements you need to be a medical assistant.
For many certifications, you’ll need a high school diploma or a GED but it’s not always required. Check the requirements before enrolling to verify.
Clinical hours are necessary to graduate from the course. Internships are highly recommended for you to complete these clinical hours.
You’ll also need to pass an exam at the end of the course to obtain your certification.
Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania
A medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania can get you on the right track towards a rewarding career in healthcare. With flexible studying and scheduling, you can have a rewarding career in a fraction of the time it takes to graduate from a university. Get started on your career in the medical field today as a medical assistant!
Want to learn more about how to get started with your medical assistant career? Visit our website today or contact us with any questions you have.
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.