Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama and How to increase it

The medical assistant salary in Alabama is $34,018 per year; with the highest paying cities Huntsville, Birmingham, and Auburn.

For companies, the best paying are University of Alabama, BayCare Health System, and Adventist Health.

This post also covers the job outlook for medical assistants in Alabama, jobs in related fields, and tips to increase your salary.

Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama Cities

Here is salary information for medical assistants across cities in Alabama:

	Cities	Hourly Salary	Annual Salary
1.	Alabaster	$16.85	$39,228
2.	Albertville	$15.95	$37,131
3.	Alexander City	$16.84	$39,207
4.	Anniston	$17.08	$39,756
5.	Athens	$16.73	$38,960
6.	Auburn	$17.72	$41,249
7.	Bessemer	$17.05	$39,704
8.	Birmingham	$19.45	$45,279
9.	Calera	$16.40	$38,187
10.	Center Point	$17.22	$40,098
11.	Chelsea	$16.23	$37,780
12.	Cullman	$16.56	$38,551
13.	Daphne	$16.38	$38,127
14.	Decatur	$17.55	$40,861
15.	Dothan	$16.78	$39,071
16.	Enterprise	$16.20	$37,707
17.	Eufaula	$16.24	$37,816
18.	Fairhope	$16.09	$37,454
19.	Florence	$16.60	$38,660
20.	Foley	$16.09	$37,457
21.	Fort Payne	$16.68	$38,839
22.	Gadsden	$16.67	$38,810
23.	Gardendale	$16.79	$39,092
24.	Gulf Shores	$16.19	$37,705
25.	Helena	$16.50	$38,413
26.	Homewood	$16.75	$39,005
27.	Hoover	$17.46	$40,659
28.	Hueytown	$15.91	$37,039
29.	Huntsville	$19.57	$45,557
30.	Irondale	$16.64	$38,740

Cities with Highest Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama

Here are top 10 paying cities for medical assistants in Alabama:

	Cities	Hourly Salary	Annual Salary
1.	Huntsville	$19.57	$45,557
2.	Birmingham	$19.45	$45,279
3.	Auburn	$17.72	$41,249
4.	Decatur	$17.55	$40,861
5.	Hoover	$17.46	$40,659
6.	Center Point	$17.22	$40,098
7.	Anniston	$17.08	$39,756
8.	Bessemer	$17.05	$39,704
9.	Alabaster	$16.85	$39,228
10.	Alexander City	$16.84	$39,207

Skills-based Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama

Current skills and up-to-date certifications can make a medical assistant in Alabama to be paid more than their counterparts.

Such skills that can be helpful include:

1. EKG interpretation
2. Cardiovascular function check
3. Transferring patient from bed to wheelchair
4. Drawing blood and body fluids
5. Patient administration.

Experience-based Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama

Experience is a factor that can also increase the salary of a medical assistant in Alabama.

Years of working as an assistant could bring an additional pay up to $500 a month.

A medical assistant in the State of Alabama with more experience like 10 years or more may earn $532,181,while a new employee with less than one year may earn $41,379.

10 Companies with Highest Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama

The top 10 paying companies for medical assistants in Alabama are:

	Company	Hourly Salary	Annual Salary
1.	University of Alabama	$31.13	$72,471
2.	BayCare Health System	$24.27	$56,509
3.	Adventist Health	$23.63	$55,022
4.	Kaiser Permanente	$23.60	$54,943
5.	UCHealth	$23.07	$53,706
6.	Action Urgent Care	$22.85	$53,204
7.	Family Health Centers of San Diego	$22.48	$52,343
8.	MultiCare Health System	$22.32	$51,968
9.	NYU Langone Health	$22.18	$51,650
10.	TotalWellness	$21.92	$51,041

10 Highest Paying Medical Assistant Jobs in Alabama

Here are some of the top paying medical assistant jobs in Alabama:

1. Cardiology medical assistant; $32,445
2. Medical administrative assistant; $40,200
3. Podiatric medical assistant; $109,350
4. Senior medical assistant; $40,835.
5. Certified medical assistant; $42,220
6. Ophthalmic medical assistant; $33,522
7. Lead medical assistant; $36,850
8. Medical assistant/phlebotomist; $41,098
9. Chiropractic medical assistant; $37,440
10. Medical Assistant Instructor; $46,563

More Benefits for Medical Assistants in Alabama

Employers in Alabama may provide the following benefits to their medical assistant employees:

1. Medical and dental benefits

Some employers in Alabama may provide medical and dental benefits to their medical assistants to cover some parts or the whole cost of their medical and dental expenses.

These benefits may include:

• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision plan/vision care
• Dental plan/dental care
• Hospitalization
• Health assessment program, health testing and screening program (HATPP) and health risk appraisals (HRA).

2. Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave is an allowance of time off from work. A healthy work environment allows a worker to be committed to the job and in turn, bringing company’s success.

A paid sick leave of time off allows employees and medical assistants to have a healthy balance between their work and life.

3. Flexible time off in lieu of overtime

When it comes to compensation and benefits, flexible time off in lieu of overtime is beneficial to medical assistants since it can allow them to have a more quality time with their families or friends.

4. Paid vacation

A paid vacation is another benefit that has been offered to employees and medical assistants.

This allows them to have the time they want, whether it’s a short vacation or long vacation, with assurance that they are paid for their time off.

What Related Job Titles to Medical Assistants Earn in Alabama

Here are earnings of job titles related to medical assistant in Alabama:

1. Medical claims processor; $38,137
2. Medical secretary; $40,190
3. Medical billing specialist; $41,515
4. Medical records technician;  $37,748
5. Medical records transcriptionist; $46,869.

Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job forecast for medical assistants in Alabama is bright, with a 20.7% increase by 2028, adding 1,310 positions.

Also, according to US Department of Labor Predictions, the number of medical assistants employed in the state will increase from 9,180 in 2018 to 11,080 in 2028.

Many factors influence the scope of practice of a medical assistant in Alabama.

The department and the type of institution you work in are two of the most important considerations.

A hospital, for example, will have far more work than a private clinic.

If you want to work in this industry, you’ll need to earn one of Alabama’s various medical assistant certificates.

How to increase your Salary as a Medical Assistant in Alabama

Here are some tips for medical assistants to increase their pay in Alabama, these include:

1. Get certified.

To increase your medical assistant’s salary in Alabama, you need to earn certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants or a state certifying organization.

You can also get certified or complete an Associate’s degree program in a medical field, such as infection control or medical coding and billing.

2. Build skills.

Skills are what separate the excellent medical assistants from the average ones. If you know how to use the right equipment, you can save time and money.

3. Work for a large employer.

It’s important to work for a large employer that can afford to give you added responsibilities and training.

Other advantages include a more competitive salary and frequent raises.

4. Work for yourself.

If you have the means, you may be well-suited to run your own medical assisting business.

You’ll have to take on all of the responsibilities of running a business, but you’ll have the freedom to set your own schedule and increase your pay significantly over time.

More Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants in Alabama

There are more career opportunities for Medical assistants in fields that are related, some of these roles are:

1. Patient care technician

A patient care technician is a medical assistant who works to assist nursing care providers in providing care to patients.

They’re responsible for performing many of the same tasks that other medical assistants do, but they focus primarily on the medical needs of patients.

2. Healthcare support assistant

A healthcare support assistant helps with administrative, clerical, and service functions in healthcare facilities.

Some responsibilities include data entry and patient scheduling, and ensuring that all necessary paperwork and supplies are on hand.

Healthcare support assistants usually need an Associate’s degree in a medical field or healthcare administration.

3. Medical insurance billing specialist

Medical insurance billing specialists analyze claims data and medical records to determine the cost of providing or purchasing healthcare services.

This role requires high-level math skills and strong computer skills.

4. Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist collects blood samples from patients to provide for testing for diagnostic purposes or for research purposes.

The job requires skills in laboratory work, specimen collection, and in effectively interacting with customers.

Also required is certification in phlebotomy or a certification as an allied health professional, such as RN or LPN.

5. Cardiovascular technology specialist

A cardiovascular technology specialist is responsible for performing diagnostic imaging procedures.

They perform various tests on the heart and vascular system to evaluate heart function, blood flow, and the body’s blood pressure.

Cardiovascular techs work in hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers, and doctors’ offices.

Specialized training is needed for certification in cardiovascular technology.

Conclusion

Medical assistants are very important in helping patients get the right medical attention.

They also help medical professionals in a wide range of healthcare delivery settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, public health clinics, and nursing homes.

You can increase your salary as a medical assistant in Alabama by completing additional training, such as a certification program.

Once you gain the skills necessary, you can choose to work in a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office to help patients receive the best possible healthcare.

Informational sources: indeed.com, bls.gov, salary.com