WA_MA_SURVEY_2019 - Medical Assistants in Washington State: Demographic, Education, and Work Characteristics of the State’s Medical Assistant-Certified Workforce - January 2019

Oct 3, 2026

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Medical Assistants in Washington State: Demographic, Education, and Work Characteristics examines the demographic profile, education and employment backgrounds, job satisfaction, and career plans of Washington’s medical assistant-certified workforce (MA-Cs). The survey addresses wage levels by region, workforce composition, primary work settings, and the prevalence of training or employment transitions within five years. It also reports certification pathways, task and role frequency, and regression results indicating higher interest in other healthcare careers among non-White MA-Cs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Key Findings

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

References

Authors

Funding

Acknowledgements

Suggested Citation

Appendix A: Tables with ACH Results

Appendix B: Questionnaire

Medical Assistants in Washington State: Demographic, Education, and Work Characteristics of the State’s Medical Assistant-Certified Workforce January 2019 Susan M. Skillman, MS, Arati Dahl, PhD, Bianca K. Frogner, PhD, C. Holly A. Andrilla, MS KEY FINDINGS Medical assistants (MAs) are a rapidly growing and increasingly important workforce. High MA turnover, however, is common and employers report applicants frequently do not meet their needs. We collected survey responses from a representative sample of Washington’s MAs with certified status (MA-Cs) to understand their demographic, education and employment backgrounds; job satisfaction; and career plans. Findings from this survey that were published in Medical Care Research and Review (Skillman, Dahal, Frogner, & Andrilla, 2018) include: n Washington’s MA-Cs had a mean average wage of $19 .91, varying across state regions from $16.93 to $21 .73, with little variation within each region. n Most (93 .0%) of MA-Cs were female and higher percentages were Hispanic, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and more than one race compared with the overall Washington population. n Most (88 .8%) reported their primary work location as a medical clinic, and primary care/family medicine was the medical focus of one third of MA-Cs. n While generally satisfied, 56.2% of Washington’s MA-Cs reported they would seek training or employment in another healthcare occupation within five years, with higher percentages among MA-Cs who felt overwhelmed by their workload and/or not satisfied with promotion opportunities. n Regression analyses showed non-White MA-Cs were more likely than White MA-Cs to express interest in other healthcare careers. Additional findings presented in this report include results for sub-state regions and the following: n 73.2% of Washington’s MA-Cs held national certification, more than half (55 .0%) of whom were certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants. n Average wages of MA-Cs in western Washington were consistently higher than in eastern Washington, regardless of years of experience as an MA. n The frequency that MA-Cs perform various clinical, administrative/insurance, and clinic/office operations tasks and roles varies, with rooming patients, taking vital signs, checking medications and recording medical histories being performed nearly every day by most MA-Cs. 1 CONTENTS: Key Findings ......................... 1 Introduction ......................... 3 Methods ............................... 3 Results ................................ 5 Discussion ......................... 15 Conclusions ........................ 15 References ........................ 15 Authors ..............................16 Funding ............................. 16 Acknowledgements .......... 16 Suggested Citation ........... 16 Appendix A: Tables with ACH Results .... 17 Appendix B: Questionnaire .................... 25 KEY FINDINGS continued n More than a third of MA-Cs’ job responsibilities include serving as a cross-trained (cross-specialty) float. n About a third of MA-Cs previously worked in another healthcare occupation, and about a quarter currently hold a credential or license in another healthcare occupation. n Commuting across ACH boundaries from home to work is relatively common among MA-Cs, with sizable commutes most apparent among the ACHs bordering western Washington’s King county (where Seattle is located) . These findings suggest the MA occupation provides an entry to healthcare careers for diverse populations. With more than half of Washington’s MA-Cs interested in leaving that occupation within five years, retention strategies are needed, particularly targeting minority MA-Cs. MA recruitment and turnover is expensive and disruptive for employers. Providing clear career ladders accompanied by pay increases and better workload management may improve retention of MAs in their occupation and/or with their

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Washington MA-C survey described in this report?

It analyzes MA-Cs’ demographics, education and employment backgrounds, job satisfaction, and career plans. The goal is to understand retention needs and workforce characteristics in Washington State.

How are MA-Cs’ wages and regional variation presented?

The report states MA-Cs had a mean average wage of $19.91, with variation across state regions from $16.93 to $21.73. It notes little variation within each region.

What factors are linked to interest in leaving the medical assistant occupation within five years?

While many are generally satisfied, 56.2% reported they would seek training or employment in another healthcare occupation within five years. Higher percentages are found among MA-Cs who felt overwhelmed by workload and/or were not satisfied with promotion opportunities.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Oliver