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What is a career path I can take to become a Medical Admin?
I am 18 years old in a trade school. I am looking to get a career in the medical field and am wondering how much Medical Admins make. I am interested in being a Medical Admin.
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5 answers
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Saile, so you wanna know How to Become a Medical Admin Without Losing Your Sanity 🤔🥸
Firstly I would say Awesome choice! Because, You get to be in the medical field without, you know… dealing with bodily fluids on a daily basis. Plus, this career has stability, good pay, and room to grow—but there are a few ways to get there, so let’s lay them out. 🙌
First if you do know or not then I Wil just start with.... What Even IS a Medical Admin?
Think of medical admins as the backbone of healthcare offices. They make sure hospitals, clinics, and private practices don’t descend into chaos. You’d be handling patient records, billing, insurance claims, scheduling, and making sure the doctor isn’t triple-booked for the same time slot (because trust me, that happens).
It’s basically the perfect career if you want to be in healthcare but aren’t thrilled about poking people with needles or diagnosing mysterious rashes.
Now You obviously wanna know... How Do You Get There?
So Yea, There are a few different paths depending on how quickly you want to jump in and how far you want to take your career.
The Quick Entry (Fastest Route – 6 months to 2 years) You kinda Get a Medical Admin Certificate or Associate’s Degree – Many trade schools and community colleges offer programs in Medical Office Administration, Health Information Management, or Medical Billing & Coding. This is the fastest way to get your foot in the door.
Apply for entry-level jobs – Look for positions like Medical Receptionist, Medical Office Assistant, or Medical Billing Specialist. These can pay anywhere from $15 to $25 per hour depending on where you live.
Here is a little Optional but can be kinda helpful! Get certified – Consider getting certifications like Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) to boost your resume and salary.
The is, Level-Up Route (4-year plan, but BIG career growth) Here you Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration – This opens doors to management-level jobs and can bump your salary up significantly.
You can Start working in medical offices while you study – Even part-time experience will set you apart.
And you Climb the ladder – With experience, you can move into Office Manager, Health Services Manager, or even Hospital Administrator roles.
Now if you do plan to Wanting to Go Even Further? (which is the Long-Term Growth)
You know like if you ever want to earn six figures, you can move into executive roles by getting a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA). Or specialize in Health Information Management (HIM) and work in data analytics or compliance (aka the people who make sure doctors follow all the rules).
So here is, How Much Can You Make because, hey, we all gotta eat, and I eat a lot. 🍕🤪
Entry-Level Medical Admin: $30,000 - $45,000 per year
Experienced Medical Office Manager: $50,000 - $75,000 per year
Healthcare Administrator / Practice Manager: $80,000 - $120,000 per year
Hospital Administrator / Executive Role: $120,000+
Keep in mind ofcourse that location matters—California, New York, and other high-cost areas tend to pay more!
Many students been lately asking how to boost their hiring chances so I am just gonna toss some Tips to Get Hired Faster for you as well! 😊
Work in a medical office NOW – Even if it’s just as a receptionist or medical assistant. Employers LOVE experience.
Network with people in healthcare – LinkedIn, job fairs, even just chatting with medical office staff can open doors.
Learn some medical software – Practice using tools like Epic, Medisoft, or Athenahealth (you can find free courses online!).
Show you can handle pressure – Medical offices get crazy busy, so employers want someone who can stay cool under pressure.
Saile, now if you wanna know if This Career Right for You then, You’d probably LOVE being a Medical Admin if and if you
1) Enjoy organizing things (color-coded spreadsheets, anyone?)
2)Like working in healthcare but don’t want to deal with blood
3) Have good communication skills (a big part of the job is talking to patients, doctors, and insurance companies)
4-Want a stable career with room to grow
But… if you hate paperwork, get overwhelmed easily, or dislike talking to people all day, you might want to explore other healthcare careers like lab tech, medical coding, or healthcare IT.
And now for my altimate Bit of Motivation 💪... Medical Admin is an AMAZING career if you’re looking for job security, a solid salary, and a way to make a real difference in patient care without handling scalpels. Whether you jump in with a certificate or go all the way to a master’s degree, there are so many opportunities in this field.
So go out there, start gaining experience, learn the skills, and make it happen! You got this! All the best Saile! 🤗
P.S. If you ever find yourself scheduling three patients in one slot… don’t panic, just pretend the doctor suddenly became a magician who can clone themselves. 🤫
Firstly I would say Awesome choice! Because, You get to be in the medical field without, you know… dealing with bodily fluids on a daily basis. Plus, this career has stability, good pay, and room to grow—but there are a few ways to get there, so let’s lay them out. 🙌
First if you do know or not then I Wil just start with.... What Even IS a Medical Admin?
Think of medical admins as the backbone of healthcare offices. They make sure hospitals, clinics, and private practices don’t descend into chaos. You’d be handling patient records, billing, insurance claims, scheduling, and making sure the doctor isn’t triple-booked for the same time slot (because trust me, that happens).
It’s basically the perfect career if you want to be in healthcare but aren’t thrilled about poking people with needles or diagnosing mysterious rashes.
Now You obviously wanna know... How Do You Get There?
So Yea, There are a few different paths depending on how quickly you want to jump in and how far you want to take your career.
The Quick Entry (Fastest Route – 6 months to 2 years) You kinda Get a Medical Admin Certificate or Associate’s Degree – Many trade schools and community colleges offer programs in Medical Office Administration, Health Information Management, or Medical Billing & Coding. This is the fastest way to get your foot in the door.
Apply for entry-level jobs – Look for positions like Medical Receptionist, Medical Office Assistant, or Medical Billing Specialist. These can pay anywhere from $15 to $25 per hour depending on where you live.
Here is a little Optional but can be kinda helpful! Get certified – Consider getting certifications like Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) to boost your resume and salary.
The is, Level-Up Route (4-year plan, but BIG career growth) Here you Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration – This opens doors to management-level jobs and can bump your salary up significantly.
You can Start working in medical offices while you study – Even part-time experience will set you apart.
And you Climb the ladder – With experience, you can move into Office Manager, Health Services Manager, or even Hospital Administrator roles.
Now if you do plan to Wanting to Go Even Further? (which is the Long-Term Growth)
You know like if you ever want to earn six figures, you can move into executive roles by getting a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA). Or specialize in Health Information Management (HIM) and work in data analytics or compliance (aka the people who make sure doctors follow all the rules).
So here is, How Much Can You Make because, hey, we all gotta eat, and I eat a lot. 🍕🤪
Entry-Level Medical Admin: $30,000 - $45,000 per year
Experienced Medical Office Manager: $50,000 - $75,000 per year
Healthcare Administrator / Practice Manager: $80,000 - $120,000 per year
Hospital Administrator / Executive Role: $120,000+
Keep in mind ofcourse that location matters—California, New York, and other high-cost areas tend to pay more!
Many students been lately asking how to boost their hiring chances so I am just gonna toss some Tips to Get Hired Faster for you as well! 😊
Work in a medical office NOW – Even if it’s just as a receptionist or medical assistant. Employers LOVE experience.
Network with people in healthcare – LinkedIn, job fairs, even just chatting with medical office staff can open doors.
Learn some medical software – Practice using tools like Epic, Medisoft, or Athenahealth (you can find free courses online!).
Show you can handle pressure – Medical offices get crazy busy, so employers want someone who can stay cool under pressure.
Saile, now if you wanna know if This Career Right for You then, You’d probably LOVE being a Medical Admin if and if you
1) Enjoy organizing things (color-coded spreadsheets, anyone?)
2)Like working in healthcare but don’t want to deal with blood
3) Have good communication skills (a big part of the job is talking to patients, doctors, and insurance companies)
4-Want a stable career with room to grow
But… if you hate paperwork, get overwhelmed easily, or dislike talking to people all day, you might want to explore other healthcare careers like lab tech, medical coding, or healthcare IT.
And now for my altimate Bit of Motivation 💪... Medical Admin is an AMAZING career if you’re looking for job security, a solid salary, and a way to make a real difference in patient care without handling scalpels. Whether you jump in with a certificate or go all the way to a master’s degree, there are so many opportunities in this field.
So go out there, start gaining experience, learn the skills, and make it happen! You got this! All the best Saile! 🤗
P.S. If you ever find yourself scheduling three patients in one slot… don’t panic, just pretend the doctor suddenly became a magician who can clone themselves. 🤫
Updated
Jai’s Answer
Medical system Administration would be a good choice, a year long certification program.
Later to advance can consider health system administration, a bachelor degree
Later to advance can consider health system administration, a bachelor degree
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Where you live makes a difference. In Alabama, the average hourly pay is $41.09. It's a good idea to check what it is where you are. Medical Admin is a fantastic career if you want to work in the medical field without dealing with the "bloody" parts. Make sure to spend time researching and ask all the questions you can. You can do it!
Updated
Tatiana’s Answer
You can get your bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration .
Associates degree in Medical Office Professional
Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration
Tatiana recommends the following next steps:
Updated
James’s Answer
I would just add to others' answers by saying that medical system administrators come from many different backgrounds. I was a vice president of medical affairs after being a clinical physician for many years. Most chief medical and nursing officers begin as clinicians. Chief Financial Officers usually begin as accountants. Many other high-level administrators obtain masters in healthcare administration or MBA degrees. I also know successful healthcare administrators who began as process engineers, computer science graduates...
So - allow yourself to explore many routes towards your goals, and do not limit your possibilities.
So - allow yourself to explore many routes towards your goals, and do not limit your possibilities.