What is the salary for a medical office assistant?

BLS Figures

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median pay for medical office assistants averages for $28,860 annually. As far as hourly rates go, medical office assistants can earn $13.87 per hour. Indeed.com, on the other hand, forecasts a higher rate for medical assistants, ranging between $36,000 and $45,000. These rates go higher depending on the job title, seniority level, place of work and state.

Rates are also bound to increase as the job outlook for medical office assistants gets better. As of 2010, there are 527,600 medical office assistants employed in the US. The profession is also expected to grow by 31 percent in this decade, which is deemed by experts as much faster than the average.

Factors that Influence Salary Rates

The ability to maximize one's salary as a medical office assistant will depend on cost of living of the state, one's spending habits and number of dependents. At $28,000 or more though, a medical office assistant would be capable of paying for their bills and supporting a family of four. Not bad for a starting salary. Single individuals, of course, would not have a problem with this running rate.