Are you thinking about becoming a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) in New York? It’s well worth considering! There’s no easier way to get your foot in the door of the medical field. Unlike nursing or doctor training, which takes years, you can potentially become a fully licensed CMA in as little as 6-9 months!

Of course, one of the most important considerations is what your pay will look like, both at the beginning of your new career, and over time. So let’s take a look at what you need to know before enrolling in a Certified Medical Assistant program in New York.

How Much Money Can You Make as a CMA?

So, to give the short answer first: Currently the average pay for a New York CMA is approximately $42,000 per year, or around $20 per hour. This is actually well above the national average of $37,000/yr. or $18/hr.

Better yet, this is a growing field, with demand expected to increase steadily in the foreseeable future. Forecasts are that the field will increase by more than 1/3 by 2026. So, if you get your CMA license and are a good worker, you’re nearly guaranteed to find a job in New York.

It’s worth mentioning that New York state does not actually require medical assistants to be certified – but you will be much more attractive on the job market as a full CMA. Expect at least a 10% increase in pay, compared to non-certified assistants, along with preferential hiring. In addition, if you move to another state, it’ll be easier to resume your career with a New York CMA certification in your pocket.

It’s really worth spending the extra time and money to get your Medical Assistant certification in NY.

Improving Your Salary Prospects

There are numerous ways you can increase your skill set as a CMA and be able to earn higher salaries as a result. For example:

• Know multiple languages. Bilingual or trilingual CMAs are in especially high demand in NY. Spanish is the top choice, but don’t overlook Chinese, Russian, or Italian.
• Take a phlebotomy course. CMA work includes injections and drawing blood, so a training course will improve your skillset.
• Take an EKG course. CMAs are often called on to take and read electrocardiograms (EKG), so an extra certification on that will also boost your value.
• Learn medical coding and billing. CMAs are also typically called on to handle the bureaucratic side of medical work, such as filing insurance documentation. Knowing this going in will significantly improve your value.

Basically, keep pursuing your continuing education. Any extra classes and certifications you can pick up will increase your value to employers.

If becoming a CMA sounds like the right career for you, the Westchester School for Medical and Dental Assistants is here to make it happen! We have a superior placement rate. More than 85% of our graduates have a job within a month. We also offer day, evening, and weekend classes to fit your schedule.

Contact us to learn more.