Top 10 Best and Worst States to Be a Medical Assistant

I am not sure where they are getting their information from. I live in Idaho, I am in charge of the Medical Assisting Program at a University and I have NEVER seen any MA's in this state make $21.66 an hour. (I myself don't make that, and I have 20 yrs experience. )

I have been a CMA for 10yr and I have worked in three different states nevada, north carolina, and now sacramento ca. When I worked in las vegas I only made $13 then we moved to NC and start at $15 before I left there I was at $19. Now am in CA and I have been here 2 month and got a job starting at $17.91 which is a union with good benefits. But at the end of the day I wouldn't recommend being a medical assistant go start for your Lpn or RN. Better pay anyday

My husband and I live in Nevada. We both went to school to become medical assistants and both got hired on at our externship sites. His, a big company, makes the most out of our classes: 12/hr. I am at a specialists' office, making 9.50/hr. I was making more at Walmart working at a register, just now I have additional debt and less pay.

I am thinking of taking a course in Medical asisitant Associate degree program At Penn foster , friends say it well great self paced online courses

I graduated from a 2-year Medical Assisting program in North Carolina over 20 years ago. Since then, I am saddened to report that this profession has not grown in popularity like the marketing websites put out.....My point: I have worked in two southern states, and the pay scale has always been relatively low. On average, northern Medical Assistants make more per hour, based on experience, from what I have been told by fellow MA's in those areas. But, their cost of living is higher, therefore not impressive. Personally, I have made as much as 17.50 per hour, and as little as 8.50 per hour during the course of 20 years in the profession. Don't get me wrong, Jobs are easy to find in you have experience, and even if you live in an area where they have never even heard of a medical assistant, the job description experience alone will eventually land you with something, but not as much as other certified or licensed health care professionals.
I have since completed my bachelors and master's . My plan is to use my Master's degree paired with my clinical and administrative background in medical assisting to teach,but from my own personal experience, and the research I've done, but I doubt very seriously I'd be willing to teach in anyone's Medical Assisting program. Even though the training is just as extensive, and graduates come out well-trained, It will be a waste of time and money for them when they are looking for a rewarding salary in the field. The only reason why it's considered "fast-growing" is because it is cheaper to hire a Medical Assistant than it is to hire an RN in most doctor's offices or practices where it does not take much in the way of critical care to demand the need for a higher paid nursing professional. As a professional Medical Assistant, I give you this advice: Do yourselves a favor and pursue a nursing degree, especially if you have a passion for working with people in the health care profession for a decent salary.

I work in TN as a CCMA and was very blessed to come by the job I currently have. I am currently making a little over $17 dollars an hour after being with the company for almost 5 years! Most other offices in our area barely pay $10 hr for medical assistants so I really don't see this scale being correct.

I live in Colorado I think that the pay scale is close but still not enough for a single mom of two boys, Medical Assistants are rare to find out here as well unless you have the limited scope expierence and training when I was going to school in 2005 they did not offer that program it was just MA. I know that a lot of companys are not looking for MA's they would rather pay less for a CNA or LPN then a MA and then they skip to RN. Very limited in the MA field which makes it hard. I guess I have to start looking into colleges so that I can try and get an associates in Science or biology......yeah took me 6 yrs in and out of the medical field for what???? If no one pays good for MA or looking for one???