Medical Assistant Average Pay in Mid-Atlantic Area?

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Specializes in Cardiac RN.

I'm just outside of the DC/Baltimore metro area of Maryland and am currently enrolled in CC completing my AAS in medical assisting. By graduation, I'll also be certified in EKG, phlebotomy and IV certified (law has recently changed allowing CMA's to start/discontinue IV therapy in MD). I'm a recently divorced mom of a 5 year old and while I absolutely love the program, I'm wondering if this will be sufficient to support myself and my daughter.

The pay ranges that I've found online seem inconsistent and extremely varied. I don't know anyone personally that is a medical assistant in the area, so I have no real-world experience to go by.

If anyone is a CMA in the area, would you mind posting what you earn, how long you've been a MA, if you receive health benefits and what your specialty area is? I'm leaning toward either urgent care, ob/gyn or peds.

I really don't want to be a nurse. I love healthcare and I worked the radiology department of a large trauma unit for 3 years, but do not envy what I've seen many nurses go through.

After completing my AAS in medical assisting, I plan to transfer to a 4 year to earn my bachelors in allied healthcare management while working as a MA, so hopefully that will boost my earning potential.

Any insight and salary information would be so appreciated. Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I have family in No VA. Pay there is around $10/hr to $12/hr max. IV skills irrelevant in most outpatient settings. Her company will hire MAs for physician offices or clinics not inpatient. Pay in that area same whether AAS in MA or 6 month certificate of completion/diploma when no work experience.

I live more north east and pay is $8-$11. Rarely benefits are offered. Urgent care around here prefer RN or certified radiology tech but occasionally will hire an experienced MA. Same pay whether AAS or cert/diploma. It depends on which phlebotomy cert. most jobs are outpatient clinic or physician offices.

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Specializes in Long term care.

I'm on the east coast and have 2 friends that are MA and have not be able to find employment even with Phlebotomy. One has given up the search (after 2 yrs looking)and works in a group home with mentally retarded adults and the other is in school for nursing and working as a CNA. Don't mean to bust your bubble.....

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I live in MD and work for a private office. I guess it depends on your yrs of experience. You would really have to sell that experience. In private practice the pay is much higher, however you will have to consider the benefits package. W/o 401 k dental vision you can make from 15-17/hr

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