The medical assistant salary in New Jersey varies depending on the experience of the individual.
The median annual wage for a medical assistant in New Jersey was $30,780 as of May 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,720 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $42,300.
The BLS also found that the average hourly wage for a medical assistant was $16.99 in New Jersey as of May 2016.
Medical Assistant Salary In Nj
What Is a Medical Assistant?
Before enrolling in a medical assistant training program, it’s important to learn about the pivotal role that medical assistants (MAs) play in the healthcare team.
These allied health professionals work closely with doctors, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other medical personnel to deliver quality patient care. You might see them in physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, or other healthcare facilities.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
The medical assistant job description is extensive (to say the least). In fact, you might be better asking what they don’t do.
MAs have one of the most diverse responsibility lists in the allied healthcare sector. Depending on the location and type of facility, they might perform administrative or clinical tasks (or a combination of both).
Typically, an MA may be expected to handle the following tasks on a daily basis:
Administrative MA Duties
- Greeting patients and answering phones
- Explaining treatment and procedures to patients
- Scheduling appointments
- Checking insurance forms
- Stocking supplies
Clinical MA Duties
- Checking vital signs (eg. heart rate, blood pressure)
- Giving injections and vaccinations
- Preparing patients for X-rays
- Removing stitches
- Changing/removing dressings
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Conducting basic laboratory tests
- Disposing of contaminated supplies
- Sterilizing medical instruments
Working as a Medical Assistant in New Jersey
If you think you can handle the fast pace of a medical assistant job, discover what New Jersey has to offer.
How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in NJ?
According to the 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for a certified medical assistant in New Jersey is $35,840 (which works out to be around $17.00 per hour).
Depending on your location in the Garden State, salary opportunities can vary. For example, MAs in private practices tend to make less than at outpatient clinics, and metropolitan areas usually provide higher wages than small towns.
Impressive job growth projections and top salaries that close in on $50,000 have put medical assisting among the most coveted support professions in New Jersey’s healthcare industry. With an optimum blend of training and education, you can become one of these valued healthcare pros who ensure that medical practices and clinics run smoothly and efficiently.
Sponsored Content
Case in point: According to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, there were 19,980 medical assistants in the Garden State in 2019; by 2021, this number is projected to grow to 20,680– a 3.5% increase in just a two-year timespan. Whether you’re new to the profession or looking to advance in it, you’ll feel good knowing that there’ll be about 2,590 annual job openings in medical assisting to go around, resulting from both new job creation and normal turn over as existing MAs advance and retire.
2019 stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed an average hourly wage of $17.64, or $36,690 annually for New Jersey’s medical assistants. For those with comprehensive resumes revealing several years of experience and professional certification, average salaries in New Jersey are even more impressive. The top 10% here earned an hourly wage of $23.74 on average, or $49,390 a year during this time.
Average Hourly Wages for Medical Assistants in New Jersey’s Metro Areas
While both the Atlantic City and Trenton metro areas are home to a similar number of medical assistants, the Trenton area comes out ahead in terms of earning power for these professionals.
The following BLS stats reveal the median – top 10% hourly wage range for medical assistants in New Jersey’s largest metro areas:
- Atlantic City (greater metro area includes Hammonton): $16.36 – $21.84 (approximately 830 medical assistants)
- Trenton: $18.03 – $24.70 (approximately 890 medical assistants)
Average Salaries for Medical Assistants in New Jersey’s Metro Areas
BLS stats indicate what medical assistants are earning in the median – top 10% salary range in New Jersey’s largest metro areas:
- Atlantic City (greater metro area includes Hammonton): $34,040 – $45,440
- Trenton: $37,490 – $51,380
