You have probably stumbled across the titles CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) if you have ever looked into a career in the medical field, been in the hospital, had a friend/family member who has spent time in a hospital, or visited a doctor’s office or urgent care center. Certified Nursing Assistants play a critical role in the comfort of the patients in care facilities, particularly in long-term care facilities like nursing homes. Medical Assistant Salary Per Hour. Certified Nursing Assistant Job Description: Nursing Assistants help a Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse by obtaining vital signs, organizing medical equipment, administering personal hygiene, and completing other basic healthcare tasks. This article will describe the difference so that you can decide between a career as a medical assistant vs. a career as a nurse assistant. There is also the potential for transfers to other medical and healthcare departments. Medical assistants are often found at the front desk, greeting patients, performing intakes and taking patients back to the exam rooms to wait for their doctor or nurse. While both positions are entry-level jobs, medical assistants have the potential to earn a slightly higher salary than CNAs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). After all, these two roles both involve supporting healthcare professionals like nurses and physicians while providing important care to patients. The average CNA earns $30,000 per year. Medical Assistant vs CNA Salary Differences. 3-4 years experience. CNA training programs often last for 6 weeks to a couple of months. Medical assistants in the lowest 10 percent wage bracket earn less than ​$12.41​ per hour, or ​$25,820​ per year. That however, is where the similarities end. Medical Assistant Salary – PayScale Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) … X Total Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. A Certified Nursing Assistant who wants to specialize and, say, become a nurse may work in a specific department in a hospital. • While MAs generally get phlebotomy training so they can become more marketable, Certified Nursing Assistants do not. Students learn basic nursing principles including direct patient care, safety, and documentation. On the other hand, nursing assistants earned an hourly wage of $14.77 and yearly wages of $30,720 on average in the US. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. In most states, nursing aides or assistants must be certified by taking an approved course and passing the state certification exam. Where you work can impact your salary. – Scheduling and billing. They are supervised by registered nurses and report directly to … Top-Certified Nursing Assistant Schools and Training, CNA Classes Riverdale Park, Maryland (MD). Again, this can vary depending on the employer, geographic location, and years of experience. Full-time . Salary Differences. We found at least five jobs related to the Medical Assistant job category that pay more per year than a typical Medical Assistant salary. Both fields are growing above the national average according to the latest BLS.gov statistics listed below. Many medical assistant positions are paid hourly, as opposed to salaried workers. CMA. The average hourly pay for a Medical Assistant in Tulsa, Oklahoma is $13.47. An MA course takes between one to two years, depending on whether the program offers an associate's degree. Both salaries will vary based on state, level of experience and scope of job duties. Experienced CNAs in the top 10 percent of the wage scale earn more than ​$40, 620​ per year, or ​$19.53​ per hour. hourly. – Dressing wounds and removing sutures Medical assistants perform a broader variety of non-medical assignments, including administrative tasks such as filing, answering phones. – Restraining patients if necessary Since they both work with the public (patients), they are required to act professionally at all times. Ultimately I want to become a nurse but I want to have a med assistant certificate/lpn certificate first. Average salary refers to the salary at which half of medical assistants make more and half make less. – Performing laboratory tests Neither job, for example, leads to a nursing career without going back to school, although CNAs can take additional training that qualifies them to give medications as a certified medication assistant. – Administering Medication The median salary for nursing assistants is ​$14.26​ per hour, or ​$29,660​ per year, BLS reports. The salary for a medical assistant varies depending on several factors. If you attend an accredited school and take a competency test to receive certification as either an MA or CNA, you will make more money than if you don't have your certification. The median Medical Assistant salary was $34,114 as of the same date, with the range being between $31,446 and $36,837. While requirements for licensure may slightly vary from state to state, MAs and CNAs are usually subject to similar healthcare regulations as outlined by such agencies as the JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Telling the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can be confusing . Hospital salaries for CNAs are often higher than those offered by nursing homes or home health agencies. What Pays More: Medical Assistant or a Pharmacy Technician?. Nationally, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $32,480 in May 2017. Required fields are marked *. In 2018, the median salary for MAs was $33,610 , but the top 10% of earners made around $47,000. The job growth outlook from 2019 to 2029 for medical assistants is 19 percent, compared to 8 percent for nursing assistants. Thank You If you are a young man or a woman desirous of entering the noble medical profession as you want to take care of the patients, it is not necessary to get a medical degree to become a doctor. The median pay of a medical assistant in 2017 was higher at $15.61 per hour. CNAs are required to be certified and earn an average salary of around $24,400, substantially lower than that of a medical assistant. They both assist doctors, nurses and other health-care providers with treatments, procedures and tests. – Measuring and recording food intake, among other duties. What Is the Difference Between a Patient Care Technician and a CNA? The Fee of the CNA classes and the class schedules are subject to change anytime via the school or the college, so please verify the information by visiting the orignial website of the schools mentioned. This is not the case for CNAs. Medical assistant training involves completion of an accredited post-secondary medical assisting program which takes 1-2 years. – Arranging lab services Patient Care Technician Program – Gainful Employment Disclosures. What Is an Average Medical Assistant Salary? 1 … $42,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a medical assistant is ​$16.73​ per hour, or ​$34,800​ per year, as of May 2019. Find Programs and Courses For those considering a career in the medical field who may not want to dedicate years to medical school, becoming a medical assistant or nursing assistant is an excellent option. Programs are often offered in technical schools, community colleges, and universities and involve both hands-on care experience and bookwork. Most of the positions deal with direct patient care, making it difficult at times to know the difference between roles. Salary. However, because CNAs are more suited to caregiver responsibilities, they often easily find employment in nursing care facilities like nursing homes or assisted living centres. According to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 30th, 2018, the median annual salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant is $31,692. Certified Nursing Assistant also referred to as CNA and Medical Assistant are two of such careers. Medical assistants are often trained on the job, but to become a certified MA, you need to go through a medical assistant certification program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, as explained on the American Association of Medical Assistants website. If you are a young man or a woman desirous of entering the noble medical profession as you want to take care of the patients, it is not necessary to get a medical degree to become a doctor. However, the average salary for a medical assistant is $31,540 annually. Entry-level CNAs in the lowest 10 percent earn less than ​$21,960,​ or ​$10.56​ per hour. CNA vs. CMA: Average Annual Salary CNA vs CMA salary difference is approximately $5,000. Visit PayScale to research medical assistant hourly pay by city, experience, skill, employer and more. Again, while medical assistants have clerical and administrative responsibilities, both professionals have a range of clinical duties. Again, the annual salary depends on various factors. Medical Assistant vs CNA salary – Employment outlook. This chart represents the latest numbers presented ONet Online for the projected growth and median salary for CNA and Medical Assistant positions. The state-approved programs are offered in high schools, technical and vocational schools, community colleges, hospitals, and nursing homes. Nonprofit Organization. Job Highlights. Searching for Medical Assistant Programs Near Me Note that job demand for both professions is soaring: Medical assistants will see a 23% increase in demand by 2024, and nurse assistants will see an 18% increase. Miwila. – Moving and repositioning ageing, terminally ill, or recovering patients Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The national average salary for a Certified Medical Assistant is $31,508 in United States. 0 Likes. Different Places Certified Nursing Aides Can Work, Educational, Licensing or Certification Requirements for Nursing Assistants, Salary Expectations for Medical Office Assistants, American Association of Medical Assistants. Healthcare occupations are projected to add about 1.9 million new jobs, growing at an above-average rate of 14% from 2018 to 2028 due to an aging population and a greater demand for health care services, including CMAs and CNAs. • Medical assistants often have more duties and responsibilities than Certified Nursing Assistants. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) vs. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Your first step was deciding to enter the health care field so you could directly care for patients. Job Highlights. Salaries vary in both specialties depending on where you work, whether you're certified and how many years you've been at your place of employment. Highly experienced CNAs – with at least three years’ experience in the sector – may go on to earn as much as $36,000. On average medical assistants make nearly $5,000 more per year than certified nursing assistants (CNA). Salary estimates are based on 13,856 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Certified Medical Assistant employees. When considering different careers, it's important to look not just at what your starting salary will be, but at your potential for growth and advancement in your career. For both CNAs and MAs, any type of job advancement will require more education. – Patient admissions Medical Assistant vs CNA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average salary was $33,610 per year, or $16.16 per hour, as of May 2018. The healthcare field offers a world of opportunities, all of which are important. Medical assistants are professional who work in medical centers, offices of doctors, and clinics to help these establishments run smoothly. – Bathing and dressing patients They may perform administrative, clerical, or clinical tasks, or all three. It is, however, important to mention that each care facility is unique, which means MAs and CNAs may find employment to perform specific duties. Healthcare occupations are projected to add about 1.9 million new jobs, growing at an above-average rate of 14% from 2018 to 2028 due to an aging population and a greater demand for health care services, including CMAs and CNAs. The average training duration for medical assistants is 1 to 2 years and the training may be part of an Associate’s degree program. • A Certified Nursing Assistant has more clinical duties, providing bedside care while Medical Assistant duties include more demonstrative and procedural work. The Bureau of labor statistics predicts that the market for medical assistants is expected to grow exponentially by 29% in the coming years. Sep 3, 2008. Medical Assistant vs. EMT/Paramedic: What You Need to Know. Medical Assistant vs CNA: Salary Differences. Both medical assistants and certified nursing assistants Next, you need to determine whether you want to become an LPN (licensed practical nurse) or a CNA (certified nursing assistant). Dental Hygiene – Learn one of the most in-demand healthcare careers out there. When getting started, it may seem that all assistant positions are the same, but they actually all perform different tasks. $16. You can enter the medical world as a medical assistant or a certified nursing assistant to become a part of the healthcare system. I don't want links just a general average of how much the MA's and LPN's make. Such clinics provide great opportunities for both medical assistants and CNAs to gain experience in specific fields, which may then be helpful when trying to specialize and upgrade. 1 Medical assistant vs. CNA: Education requirements Though MAs and CNAs are both essential to patient care, you won’t need a four-year degree to get started in one of these careers. Experienced medical assistants in the highest 10 percent wage bracket earn upwards of ​$23.43​ per hour or ​$48,720​ per year. – Assisting with patient examination Your email address will not be published. However, many CNA training programs do not include internships or other hands-on experience, so students must arrange such experience on their own. Medical Assistant vs CNA – Salary. In general, Medical Assistants can expect a higher salary potential than CNAs: Medical Assistants nationwide earn an average of $34,800 annually. While it’s not the highest-paying allied healthcare career , this field is excellent for workers looking for excellent entry-level job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a medical assistant is $16.73 per hour, or $34,800 per year, as of May 2019. When getting started, it may seem that all assistant positions are the same, but they actually all perform different tasks. They also have to successfully complete thoroughly supervised clinical work. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you could earn the most. CNA training is typically shorter than medical assistant training lasting from four weeks to several months, according to the place of study. Medical assistants, sometimes called MAs, and certified nursing assistants, also called nursing aides or CNAs, both work with patients, but their job descriptions and educational tracks are quite different. Nationally, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $32,480 in May 2017. Medical Assistant vs CNA Salary and Career Outlook. November 23, 2016. As an LPN, however, your wage will be far more interesting. Read on for a full comparison of these two medical professions. The annual CNA salary ranges from $28,721 to $35,260. Both salaries will vary based on state, level of experience and scope of job duties. per year. There are many different jobs in the medical profession and some of which have very confusing career titles. 1. CNA Training – Learn one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers out there. For this reason, CNAs become more involved in most of their job’s clinical aspects. CNA vs. Medical Assistant Salary. Before you start down the road to working in the medical field, be sure to know what tasks you would like to perform, and what tasks you would like to avoid. Health care support occupations, sometimes called allied health professions, are projected to grow between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Assistants Summary, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies Summary, Board-Approved Certified Nursing Training Program Vs. Certified Medical Assistant. 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