Earnings

The median annual wage for medical assistants was $29,370 in May 2012.  The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earn more than that amount and half earned less.  The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,080, and the top 10 percent earned more than $41,570.

Most medical assistants work full time.  Some work evenings or weekends to cover shifts in medical facilities that are always open.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)