Medical Assistants vs Nurse Practitioners salary

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the average annual pay for Medical Assistants is $38,190, compared to the average annual salary of $118,040 for Nurse Practitioners. This indicates that Nurse Practitioners earn significantly more than Medical Assistants.

However, it's worth mentioning that wages can vary depending on factors like location, experience, and the specific setting in which the employee works. As an example, Medical Assistants who work in Washington (with salary averaging $47,320) may earn more than those who work in Louisiana ($30,620). And Nurse Practitioners in California earn 60% more on average compared to those in Tennessee.

Medical Assistants vs Nurse Practitioners overview

Medical Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are two important roles in the Health Care Services industry. There is a common interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, as well as the average salaries for each.

Medical Assistant job description

Medical Assistants perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Medical Assistant education and experience

Among Medical Assistants, 45% have obtained a Post-Secondary Certificate, 21% hold a High School Diploma, and 17% have a Bachelor's Degree. When it comes to experience, 41% of Medical Assistant occupations require a 6 months to 1 year of previous work-related experience. A smaller portion of roles (20%) do not require any previous experience.

Medical Assistant average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Medical Assistants employed by the United States in 2021 was 727,760, and they earned an average annual income of $38,190. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $29,070 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $48,170 or more. The average salary has increased by 3.4% in comparison to the previous year.

Do Medical Assistants make good money?

Medical Assistants salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a third below the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make about a half less than the mean salary of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

Medical Assistants salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a third below the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Medical Assistants job growth

In 2021, there have been 17,560 more Medical Assistant job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows an increase of 2.5%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 2.6%.

Nurse Practitioner job description

Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

Nurse Practitioner education and experience

The majority of Nurse Practitioners (65%) hold a Master's Degree. However, among employees in this occupation, there are also some with a Doctoral Degree (26%). Regarding experience, about a third of Nurse Practitioner jobs require a 1 to 2 years of experience in the field. A smaller part of jobs (35%) require a previous experience of 2 to 4 years.

Nurse Practitioner average salary

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had a workforce of 234,690 Nurse Practitioners in 2021 and they earned an average of $118,040 per year. The lowest earning 10 percent made $79,470 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $163,350 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the average salary has risen by 3.1%.

Do Nurse Practitioners make good money?

Nurse Practitioners generally earn good salaries, as their average salary is 103% higher than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Furthermore, they earn 68% more than the average pay of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

Nurse Practitioners generally earn good salaries, as their average salary is 103% higher than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Nurse Practitioners job growth

Nurse Practitioners have seen growth in employment over the past two years. In 2021, there have been 23,410 more roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 11.1%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 9.4%.

FAQ

Do Medical Assistants or Nurse Practitioners make more?

Nurse Practitioners make about two times more than Medical Assistants. Medical Assistants average around $38,190 per year, while Nurse Practitioners make $118,040 per year.

How long does it take to become a Medical Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner?

Medical Assistants typically need a Post-Secondary Certificate. A Post-Secondary Certificate usually takes between 1 year and 2 years to obtain. On the other hand, Nurse Practitioners typically need a Master's Degree. A Master's Degree itself usually takes between 2 years and 3 years to obtain. And, given that a Bachelor's Degree is a prerequisite, it could take around 7 years to complete the full educational process.

Is it harder to become a Medical Assistant vs Nurse Practitioner?

It is more difficult to become a Nurse Practitioner than a Medical Assistant, since it takes 5 more years of education.