- After completing a study on the wages of medical assistants throughout the nation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) concluded that the national average wage for the field was $29,450 per year in 2009. This is slightly higher than the statewide salary earned by medical assistants in Texas in 2009, averaging $26,320, a difference of $3,130 per year.
- The 40,890 medical assistants in Texas earned wide-ranging salaries in 2009. A segment of medical assistants did earn salaries higher than their colleagues across the country, with a 90th percentile of medical assistant salaries averaging $37,140 per year. At the bottom end of the Lone Star State's medical assistant salaries, earnings in the 10th percentile averaged $18,110 per year.
- Texans interested in earning salaries as medical assistants have two options to start their careers. Because there is no singular educational or experience required to become a medical assistant, some physician's offices require just a high school diploma and perform office-specific training on the job. The other option is to enroll in a short-term certificate or two-year associate degree program at one of the hundreds of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredited community colleges and technical schools in the country. Texas is home to 23 accredited schools, including San Jacinto College North, El Paso Community College, Texas School of Business (multiple locations), Texas State Technical College, Houston Community College, Cisco College and Northeast Texas Community College.
- The BLS expects a 34 growth rate in employment of medical assistants, adding 163,900 jobs nationwide by 2018. The Bureau suggests that prospective Texas medical assistants who pursue postsecondary education or certification will have the best opportunities to secure salaries.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -