Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get into the medical field. You can become a medical assistant quickly and certification is relatively inexpensive. Medical assistants spend their days doing meaningful work while earning a decent salary.
So what is the average medical assistant salary in New York and NYC?
The average salary for medical assistants in New York, in general, is $42,100 per year or $20.24 per hour.
In New York City, specifically, the salary is $42,390 annually and $20.38 per hour.
Compared to other states, medical assistants in New York have some of the highest salaries in the United States.
This guide will go over medical assistant salaries in New York state and New York City, and what you can do to earn the most money in your area.
Medical Assistant Salary in New York & NYC Overview
Across the United States, medical assistant salaries average $37,190 per year or $17.88 per hour. New York medical assistants earn considerably more than that, with an average pay of $42,100 per year or $20.24 hourly.
Job outlook for medical assistants in New York and New York City is encouraging for anyone wanting to start a medical assisting career. In New York, medical assisting jobs are expected to increase by 35% by the year 2026. This is more growth than most other industries and other healthcare jobs throughout the nation.
Medical Assistant Salary in New York vs Other States
- Alabama – $29,920 ($14.38)
- Alaska – $47,400 ($22.79)
- Arizona – $37,390 ($17.98)
- Arkansas – $29,970 ($14.41)
- California – $44,780 ($21.53). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in CA here.
- Colorado – $38,040 ($18.29)
- Connecticut – $41,010 ($19.71). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in CT here.
- Delaware – $36,450 ($17.52) – Learn more about medical assistant salaries in DE here.
- District of Columbia – $46,690 ($22.45) – Learn more about medical assistant salaries in Washington D.C. here.
- Florida – $35,480 ($17.06). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in FL here.
- Georgia – $36,190 ($17.40)
- Hawaii – $38,860 ($18.69)
- Idaho – $37,120 ($17.85)
- Illinois – $38,330 ($18.43)Learn more about medical assistant salaries in IL here.
- Indiana – $36,960 ($17.77)
- Iowa – $37,660 ($18.11)
- Kansas – $35,340 ($16.99)
- Kentucky – $33,410 ($16.06)
- Louisiana – $29,470 ($14.17)
- Maine – $37,860 ($18.20)
- Maryland – $39,280 ($18.89). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in MD here.
- Massachusetts – $44,220 ($21.25). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in MA here.
- Michigan – $37,120 ($17.85)
- Minnesota – $46,920 ($22.56)
- Mississippi – $29,760 ($14.31)
- Missouri – $35,280 ($16.96)
- Montana – $37,660 ($18.11)
- Nebraska – $36,990 ($17.78)
- Nevada – $36,960 ($17.77)
- New Hampshire – $38,220 ($18.37)
- New Jersey – $39,600 ($19.04). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in NJ here.
- New Mexico – $30,750 ($14.79)
- New York – $42,100 ($20.24). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in NY & NYC here.
- North Carolina – $36,790 ($17.69)
- North Dakota – $37,310 ($17.94)
- Ohio – $36,800 ($17.69)
- Oklahoma – $30,030 ($14.44)
- Oregon – $45,710 ($21.97)
- Pennsylvania – $36,750 ($17.67). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in PA here.
- Rhode Island – $37,860 ($18.20)
- South Carolina – $34,710 ($16.69)
- South Dakota – $30,540 ($14.68)
- Tennessee – $36,280 ($17.44)
- Texas – $34,660 ($16.66)
- Utah – $37,120 ($17.85)
- Vermont – $37,190 ($17.88)
- Virginia – $38,330 ($18.43). Learn about medical assistant salaries in VA here.
- Washington – $47,460 ($22.82)
- West Virginia – $31,230 ($15.01). Learn more about medical assistant salaries in WV here.
- Wisconsin – $38,050 ($18.30)
- Wyoming – $37,410 ($17.99)
Medical Assistant Salary in New York City vs Other Cities
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA – $42,390 ($20.38)
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA – $41,390 ($19.90)
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX – $36,690 ($17.64)
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI – $38,910 ($18.71)
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA – $36,870 ($17.73)
- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX – $36,920 ($17.75)
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL – $37,950 ($18.25)
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ – $38,630 ($18.57)
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA – $54,930 ($26.41)
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD – $39,450 ($18.97)
Medical Assistant vs Certified Medical Assistant Salary in New York
While New York does not require medical assistants to be certified, it is important to remember that most employers prefer to hire someone who has demonstrated commitment and competency by passing their certification exam.
Certified medical assistants in New York earn about 10% more than non-certified medical assistants. Being certified also gives you more opportunities for advancement or promotions, allowing you to earn even more.
You can become a certified medical assistant in as little as six weeks to four months through an online program. You can also earn your medical assistant certification or degree through a community college or university program. After completion of an accredited program, you can take your certification exam to become a CMA, RMA, or CCMA, depending on which exam you take.
Make sure you choose a program that is accredited and has high passing rates for the certification exam. Many programs also help with job placement after you graduate.
Stepful has a 4-Month Online Medical Assistant Program that includes support in finding an externship and career coaching to help you find a job.
>> Read More: Medical Assistant Certification Options
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in New York & NYC
Medical assistants are in high demand now, and the available jobs for medical assistants are expected to continue increasing over the next several years. Between 2021 and 2031, medical assisting jobs are expected to increase by 16%.
In New York, the outlook is even better than the national average. Because of the aging population and need for more medical care, medical assistants in New York can expect the number of available jobs to increase by 35% between 2021 and 2026.
Medical Assistant Salary in New York vs. Other Occupations
Medical assistants make a decent salary when compared to other occupations with other education requirements. While there are higher paying jobs out there, they usually require much more education or experience.
Here are job salaries with similar education requirements:
- Medical Assistant: $42,100
- Certified Nursing Assistant: $40,680 (Medical Assistant vs Certified Nursing Assistant Guide)
- Bank Teller: $37,660
- Cashier: $27,810
- Child Care Worker: $33,060
Here are some jobs that require more training compared to medical assistants:
- Medical Assistant: $42,100
- Registered Nurse: $93,320 (Medical Assistant vs Nurse Guide)
- Family Practice Physician: $220,640
- General Surgeon: $249,450
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Better Medical Assistant Salary in New York
Medical assistants make a decent salary for starting out. Like most other professions, there are extra things you can do or skills you can master that will help you become more valuable to your employer and be able to negotiate a better salary.
Having extra skills and certifications not only gets you a better salary, but it may allow you to have more freedom in choosing the type of office you prefer or hours you would like to work.
Skills to improve your salary include:
- Get your medical assisting certification. Getting your medical assisting certification shows that you have the knowledge required to safely care for patients.
- Complete a phlebotomy course. Most medical assistants will have to perform blood draws. Completing a phlebotomy course will prepare you to perform your duties well.
- Complete an EKG course. An EKG course will teach you how to take a reading of your patients heart rhythm to help the physician diagnose an underlying problem.
- Stay current on new technologies and procedures. Healthcare is always changing. Staying up to date on best practices helps you take good care of the patients in your office
- Attend continuing education courses. Completing continuing education courses shows that you are willing to do extra work to learn more about how to do your best as a medical assistant.
- Take a medical billing or coding class. Since medical assisting includes administrative tasks, understanding medical billing is an important part of the job.
- Learn a second language. New York is a place where people of all backgrounds live. Knowing a second language can be very valuable for a medical assistant working with a variety of different patients.
- Work with a staffing agency. New York healthcare staffing agencies can help you find jobs with potentially better salaries than other jobs.
