More than half of medical assistants in the U.S. work in physician offices, but large numbers are also found working in hospitals, outpatient care centers, offices of other types of healthcare practitioners, and assisted living facilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that, as of May 2023, more than 763,000 medical assistants were employed in the United States. According to BLS data from May 2023, the annual mean wage for medical assistants was $43,350. From region to region there was wide variation in medical assistant mean annual wages, with medical assistants in some regions of the country earning 50% or more than their counterparts elsewhere. This variation is readily visible in BLS data from May 2023, which shows the following about medical assistant pay in the top 20 metropolitan areas in the U.S.:
Medical Assistant Pay in the Top 20 Metropolitan Areas
| Metropolitan Area | # Employed | Mean Annual Wage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York-Newark-Jersey City | 45,350 | $47,780 | ||
| 2 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 34,330 | $46,480 | ||
| 3 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 16,210 | $44,200 | ||
| 4 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 17,280 | $40,560 | ||
| 5 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | 15,820 | $40,670 | ||
| 6 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 13,870 | $46,770 | ||
| 7 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 12,720 | $44,990 | ||
| 8 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach | 15,190 | $41,830 | ||
| 9 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta | 14,490 | $41,760 | ||
| 10 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 11,910 | $49,440 | ||
| 11 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 15,850 | $44,210 | ||
| 12 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley | 14,590 | $62,160 | ||
| 13 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 11,290 | $44,580 | ||
| 14 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 12,420 | $39,770 | ||
| 15 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 9,730 | $58,070 | ||
| 16 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 7,900 | $51,170 | ||
| 17 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 9,620 | $48,610 | ||
| 18 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 8,870 | $40,200 | ||
| 19 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood | 5,790 | $48,190 | ||
| 20 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 6,830 | $43,660 | ||
| National | 763,040 | $43,350 | |||
Report Period: May 2023
Top 20 U.S. Metro areas from the 2020 Census
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Occupational Statistics
Data extracted on August 31, 2024
Great insights on medical assistant pay across the top metropolitan areas! It's fascinating to see how compensation varies regionally. For those in the healthcare field looking to stay warm and stylish, check out Ultimate Leather Jackets– premium quality, comfort, and durability all in one. Stay sharp in and out of work!
ReplyDeleteI recently attended the HIMSS Global Health Conference, where one of the key healthcare speakers addressed the critical role of medical assistants across diverse settings in the U.S. The discussion highlighted how medical assistants are foundational to patient care in various environments, from physician offices to hospitals, outpatient care centers, and assisted living facilities. The speaker shed light on the growing workforce, citing recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that indicated more than 763,000 medical assistants employed nationwide as of May 2023. This number underscores the essential nature of their role in the healthcare system, especially as the demand for accessible, quality care continues to rise.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out during the session was the variability in wages for medical assistants across different regions, which the BLS data clearly illustrated. In some metropolitan areas, medical assistants earn significantly more than their counterparts in other parts of the country, with wages sometimes exceeding the national average by 50% or more. This regional disparity can likely be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare professionals, and state-specific employment conditions. Understanding this variation can help healthcare organizations strategize around hiring and retaining medical assistants in a competitive labor market, ultimately impacting the quality and accessibility of care in different areas of the country.