Qualifications

• While it is possible to get on-the-job training, most medical assistants enroll in formal training after high school. Options include programs through vocational schools, which usually last one year, or two-year associate degrees. Courses will include medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, record keeping, keyboarding and insurance processing. Those focused more on the clinical aspect of medical assisting will also learn laboratory techniques and procedures, first aid, and go through an internship to receive real world experience at a doctor's office or hospital. Many positions are reserved for those certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Association of Medical Technologists (AMT).
  
  

Location

• A clinical medical assistant's salary will be subject to the cost of living in the area in which he works, as well as the level of demand for the service. For example, Massachusetts has a fairly high concentration of medical assistants but also a high cost of living, and average wages as of 2009 were around $34,490 a year according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, Florida has a similar level of concentration but lower relative cost of living, and medical assistants can expect an annual mean wage of $28,780. The District of Columbia pays more than the 50 states, at $37,790 a year.
  
  

Industry

• The majority of medical assistants work in the offices of physicians. Their nationwide average salary is $29,810 a year as stated by the Bureau. Many clinical assistants also work at general hospitals and earn $30,830 a year. Those who specialize as dental assistants will likely earn more, averaging $35,920 a year. The highest-paying positions can be found at psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. There are only approximately 540 of these positions in the country, but the average pay is $46,430 a year.
  
  

Experience

• The national average salary for all medical clinical assistants is $29,450 according to the Bureau. However, a medical assistant just starting out in the field is likely to earn in the bottom 10 percent of wages, averaging only $20,750 a year. Most assistants will fall into the middle 50 percent of wages, ranging from $24,060 to $33,760 a year. Those with the most experience, training and coveted positions make up the top 10 percent of wage-earners and can average $39,970 annually.