Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania and How to increase it

By | July 14, 2023
Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania
Cities that pay the highest salaries to medical assistants in Pennsylvania include Allentown, Abington, and State College. Image source: mc3.

The medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $42,457 per year.

Among the cities offering the highest pay rates are Allentown, Abington and State College.

When it comes to companies, ATC Healthcare, CHOC Children’s, and Kaiser Permanente are recognized for their competitive compensation packages.

This article also delves into the various employee benefits available to medical assistants in Pennsylvania, discusses salary trends in related fields, and provides practical advice on increasing one’s earning potential.

Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania Cities

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

 CitySalary HourlySalary Yearly
1.Philadelphia$19.18$44,649
2.Pittsburgh$17.81$41,456
3.Allentown$21.94$51,086
4.Erie$15.81$36,812
5.Reading$16.90$39,352
6.Upper Darby$17.15$39,927
7.Scranton$15.29$35,602
8.Bensalem$17.22$40,083
9.Lower Merion$17.49$40,717
10.Lancaster$17.50$40,736
11.Bethlehem$18.68$43,502
12.Abington$21.66$50,434
13.Bristol$18.22$42,427
14.Mill Creek$16.65$38,775
15.Lower Paxton$16.24$37,811
16.Haverford$17.75$41,325
17.Harrisburg$16.53$38,485
18.Middletown$18.40$42,844
19.York$17.88$41,634
20.Altoona$16.99$39,552
21.State College$20.71$48,225
22.Doylestown$18.88$43,961  
23.Wilkes-Barre$17.25$40,158
24.Hempfield$16.97$39,512
25.Manheim$16.95$39,470
26.Northampton$15.79$36,770
27.Cheltenham$18.24$42,467
28.Norristown$18.10$42,148
29.Chester$16.31$37,965
30.Falls$18.99$44,217
Salaries of medical assistants across cities in Pennsylvania.

Cities with Highest Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania

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

 CitySalary HourlySalary Yearly
1.Allentown$21.94$51,086
2.Abington$21.66$50,434
3.State College$20.71$48,225
4.Philadelphia$19.18$44,649
5.Falls$18.99$44,217
6.Doylestown$18.88$43,961  
7.Bethlehem$18.68$43,502
8.Middletown$18.40$42,844
9.Cheltenham$18.24$42,467
10.Bristol$18.22$42,427
Cities that pay the highest salaries to medical assistants in Pennsylvania.

Skill-based Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania

When it comes to determining a medical assistant’s pay, certain skills have a significant impact.

Here are a few key skills that contribute to salaries of medical assistants in Pennsylvania:

  • Dissection; +37.07%
  • Clinical Trials; +12.33%
  • Family Planning; +47.19%
  • Epic; +9.16%
  • Data Collection; +7.55%.

Experience-based Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania

The salary of a medical assistant in Pennsylvania is also affected by their level of experience.

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania with less than one year of experience typically earn around $39,696 per year, whereas those with a decade or more of experience can anticipate earning approximately $50,059 annually.

10 Companies with Highest Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania

Here are top 10 paying companies for medical assistants in Pennsylvania:

  CompanyHourly Salary Annual Salary
1. ATC Healthcare $28.58 $66,538
2. CHOC Children’s $27.60 $64,255
3. Kaiser Permanente $26.98 $62,813
4. Sutter Health $26.40 $61,458
5. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health $24.72 $57,549
6. Berman Skin Institute $24.57 $57,216
7. TotalMed $24.43 $56,876
8. Western Washington Medical Group $24.14 $56,205
9. GHR Healthcare $24.09 $56,077
10. Community Health Care $23.57 $54,886per year
Companies that pay the highest salaries to medical assistants in Pennsylvania.

10 Highest Paying Medical Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania

Here are some of the best paying medical assistant jobs in Pennsylvania:

  1. Medical assistant intern; $36,594
  2. Bilingual medical assistant; $38,468
  3. Medical assistant back office; $36,413
  4. Obgyn medical assistant; $37,026
  5. Cardiology medical assistant; $35,067
  6. Medical assistant instructor; $47,045
  7. Certified medical assistant; $45,210
  8. Medical office assistant; $37,335
  9. Senior medical assistant; $42,322
  10. Medical administrative assistant; $37,356.

More Benefits for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania

The employer-employee relationship for medical assistants in Pennsylvania includes a host of benefits offered by employers to enrich the lives of their medical assistants. These include:

  1. Health Insurance

Employers in Pennsylvania often provide medical assistants with comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans, ensuring access to necessary healthcare services.

2. Retirement Plans

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania may have access to retirement plans, such as 401(k) or pension plans, allowing them to save for their future and potentially receive employer contributions or matching.

3. Professional Development Opportunities

Employers in Pennsylvania may offer medical assistants opportunities for professional development, such as training programs, workshops, or tuition reimbursement for further education.

4. Paid Time Off

Employers typically provide medical assistants with paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays, allowing them to rest and recharge or attend to personal matters.

5. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania may have access to EAPs that offer resources and support for various personal and work-related challenges, including counseling services, financial advice, and legal assistance.

What Related Job Titles to Medical Assistant Earn in Pennsylvania

Here is an overview of the salaries in various related fields to medical assisting in Pennsylvania:

  • Patient Care Technician; $46,863
  • Medical Scribe; $31,594
  • Care Coordinator; $37,879
  • Medical Receptionist; $37,901.

Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook in Pennsylvania

The job outlook for medical assistants in Pennsylvania appears extremely promising, as projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With an expected growth rate of 21.83%, the number of individuals employed in this field is projected to increase from 26,930 in 2016 to 32,810 by 2026.

Additionally, there will be around 3,730 job openings available each year for prospective medical assistants.

How to increase your Pay as a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania

Here are some suggestions to enhance your earning potential and increase your salary as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania:

  1. Pursue Higher Education

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania can consider pursuing higher education, such as Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field, which can open doors to higher-paying positions, such as medical office manager or healthcare administrator.

2. Gain Experience in In-Demand Specialties

Specializing in high-demand areas of healthcare, such as geriatrics, dermatology, or pediatrics, can make medical assistants more marketable and potentially lead to higher salary offers.

3. Network and Build Professional Connections

Actively networking with professionals in the healthcare industry, attending industry events, and joining relevant professional associations can help medical assistants discover new job opportunities and negotiate better salary packages.

4. Stay Current with Certifications

Keeping certifications, such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), up to date demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and may enhance salary prospects.

5. Research and Negotiate Salary Offers

Conducting thorough research on average salaries for medical assistants in different regions of Pennsylvania and negotiating salary offers based on qualifications, experience, and the value brought to the organization can lead to improved compensation.

More Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania

If you’re ready to explore new career paths outside of medical assisting in Pennsylvania, here are some related fields worth considering:

  1. Healthcare IT

Individuals with interest in technology can explore careers in healthcare information technology, focusing on implementing and managing electronic health records systems and other healthcare-related software.

2. Healthcare Consulting

Individuals can leverage their experience and knowledge in healthcare to work as consultants, advising healthcare organizations on strategic planning, process improvement, or regulatory compliance.

3. Pharmaceutical Research

Individuals can explore opportunities in pharmaceutical research, contributing to the development and testing of new drugs or medical treatments through clinical trials and data analysis.

4. Medical Social Work

Those passionate about supporting patients and their families during challenging times can consider a career in medical social work, providing emotional support, connecting patients to resources, and advocating for their well-being.

Conclusion

The salary of medical assistants in Pennsylvania can differ based on factors such as experience, location, and employer.

To enhance their earning potential, medical assistants in Pennsylvania can pursue higher education in healthcare management or related fields, which can lead to higher-paying positions.

Gaining experience in in-demand specialties, networking with professionals in the healthcare industry, and staying current with industry certifications are effective ways to increase qualifications and potentially command higher salaries.

Additionally, researching and negotiating salary offers based on market standards, and demonstrating the value they bring to the organization can contribute to improved compensation for medical assistants in Pennsylvania.

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