The median annual salary for medical assistants as of May 2007 was $27,430, though numbers vary depending on experience, skill level and location.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2007, the states with the highest average salaries for medical assistants are:

A more complete list of states and their average annual salaries can be found at Medical Assistant Salaries by State.

Salaries in Other Industries

Medical assistants can work in other industries besides health care. Insurance agencies, government organizations and tax and payroll agencies employ medical assistants to oversee certain administrative tasks. In some cases, these medical assistants earn more than those in health care.

The top paying industries for medical assistants are:

Medical Assistant Employment

Employment in the health care industry is growing rapidly due to technological advancements and the growth and aging of the population.

The number of medical assistant positions in the United States is expected to reach 565,000 by the year 2016, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the country. Currently, most medical assistants -- almost 75% -- work in doctors' offices (including specialists), with the remainder working in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities.

In this increasingly competitive field, several qualifications will make a medical assistant more attractive to employers:

• Formal training
• Hands-on experience
• Professional certification
• The ability to handle both administrative and clinical tasks

Here you can find out more about what medical assistants do, or find more about medical assistant education on the training page.