Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
SOC Code: 43-6013Also known as:
Administrative Support Specialist, Appointment Scheduler, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMMA), Client Service Coordinator, Clinic Office Assistant
Median Annual Salary
$44,640
+4.2% growth (2024-2034)
86K
Openings/Year
850K
Current Jobs
What Medical secretaries and administrative assistants Do
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
💰 Salary
$44,640
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+4.2%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
86K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
850,000
Projected Employment (2034)
885,300
Related Careers
Medical records specialists
$50,250 •
+7.1% growth
Medical assistants
$44,200 •
+12.5% growth
Receptionists and information clerks
$37,230 •
+0.0% growth
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
$46,290 •
-1.6% growth
Office clerks, general
$43,630 •
-6.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Speaking
Active Listening
Service Orientation
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
- Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
- Complete insurance or other claim forms.
- Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
- Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
- Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
- Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff.
- Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms.
- Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records.
- Perform bookkeeping duties, such as credits or collections, preparing and sending financial statements or bills, and keeping financial records.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a medical secretaries and administrative assistants:
Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller
11,963 degrees awarded •
193 colleges offer this program
Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary
7,771 degrees awarded •
236 colleges offer this program
Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
4,419 degrees awarded •
205 colleges offer this program
Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist
1,195 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Medical Reception/Receptionist
844 degrees awarded •
37 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become medical secretaries and administrative assistants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical secretaries and administrative assistants make?
The median annual salary for medical secretaries and administrative assistants is $44,640.
What education do medical secretaries and administrative assistants need?
Most medical secretaries and administrative assistants positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller, Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary, Medical Office Assistant/Specialist.
Is becoming medical secretaries and administrative assistants a good career choice?
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to see +4.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 85,900 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
Top colleges for aspiring medical secretaries and administrative assistants include
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee, Louisiana Tech University, Arkansas Tech University, College of Lake County, Hunter Business School.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants may also be known as: Administrative Support Specialist, Appointment Scheduler, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMMA), Client Service Coordinator, Clinic Office Assistant, Dental Front Desk Receptionist, Dental Office Receptionist, Dental Receptionist, Dental Secretary, Front Desk Agent, Front Desk Receptionist, Guest Service Representative, Hospital Admissions Clerk, Hospital Receptionist, Hospital Secretary, Hospital Unit Clerk, Insurance Verifier, Intake Coordinator, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Administrative Specialist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.