Have you been wondering about pursuing a career in medical assisting? If so, there are variety of programs available in Michigan — including certificates, diplomas and degree programs.
Medical assistants, not to be confused with physician assistants, work in clinical or administrative settings or perform a variety of both. They schedule patients’ appointments, change bandages, use electronic health records (EHRs) software, and record patients’ vitals. Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Michigan, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state...
Michigan General Education Information and Data[vi]
- There are a whopping 75 four year institutions in Michigan, compared to the national average of 56
- There are 32 two year institutions compared to the national average of 33
- The national average for total male fall enrollment is 171,951 and Michigan has 299,714 – that’s a lot of men enrolling in college!
- The total female fall enrollment in Michigan is 386,335 while the national average is 228,592 – much higher than the national average when it comes to women!
F.A.Q.'s for Medical Assistants in Michigan
What are the medical assisting job and earning statistics from Michigan?[i]
- There are currently 23,120 medical assistants employed in Michigan.
- The annual mean 10th percentile wage for medical assistants in Michigan is $20,870.
- The hourly mean 10th percentile wage is $10.23.
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants usually work in physician's offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that involve working with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Did you know Michigan boasts several hospitals ranked by U.S. News and World Report? The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers is even ranked nationally in 11 specialties, including #10 in urology.
Top 5 Regionally Ranked Hospitals in Michigan:
- University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
- Beaumont Hospital
- Spectrum Health
- Munson Medical Center
- Mercy Health St. Mary's Hospital
Metro Area | Lowest 10th% Salary | Highest 90th% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $24,350 | $45,850 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $21,490 | $37,340 |
| Bay City, MI | $18,440 | $34,840 |
| Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Division | $20,320 | $36,400 |
| Flint, MI | $21,540 | $39,300 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $24,720 | $38,940 |
| Holland-Grand Haven, MI | $21,320 | $36,800 |
| Jackson, MI | $19,010 | $39,610 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $20,220 | $35,700 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $21,310 | $37,370 |
| Monroe, MI | $20,720 | $33,470 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $21,750 | $36,770 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | $23,760 | $37,300 |
| Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI | $20,600 | $31,050 |
| Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metropolitan Division | $20,750 | $37,150 |
What is the annual mean 10th percentile wage for other health related fields in Michigan?
Medical Billing & Coding: $23,050[ii]
EMT: $18,920[iii]
Pharmacy Technician: $19,220[iv]
CNA (certified nursing assistant): $20,000[v]
How do I earn a medical assistant certification in Michigan?
Since many employers may find job candidates with degrees or certificates more attractive than candidates without a diploma, you might want to seriously consider a medical assisting education. With a variety of medical assistant schools in Michigan, you have options when thinking about participating in a medical assistant program at a vocational school, community college, or university. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.
Below are a few related fields that do require state licensure:
- Dental Hygienist:[vii]Requires certification via the Michigan Department of Community Health. You must pass the dental hygiene national board exam and the combined regional dental hygiene examination. Additionally, you need to have an associate's degree in dental hygiene.
- Emergency Medical Technician:[viii]Requires certification via the Michigan Department of Community Health. Requirements for any person who is working as a full time or volunteer emergency medical technician should be licensed with the Department of Community Health. For advanced and specialist EMTs, additional certifications are available. EMT instructors must also be licensed by the Division of Emergency Medical Services.
- Nurse Aid:[ix]Requires certification by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Requirements include completions of a training program, passing a knowledge exam, and a clinical skills test prior to registering in the state of Michigan.
What medical assisting professional organizations are there in Michigan?
Are you serious about your career as a medical assistant in Michigan? If so, joining a professional organization after graduation could help with your medical assisting career. The Michigan Society of Medical Assistants (MSMA) is a great way to glean additional resources and you can visit their website at http://www.msmaonline.org/ to find information about upcoming events, contact information, links to additional medical assisting information, and MSMA leadership.