Average Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois (Annual & Hourly)

If you're interested in starting a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is one option to consider.

To start working as a medical assistant in Illinois, you only have to have a high school diploma or GED, and training programs are relatively inexpensive. There are many reasons to become a medical assistant, including the ability to help others and having an engaging job.

So what is the average medical assistant salary in Illinois?

The average salary for medical assistants in Illinois is $37,910 per year or $18.23 per hour.

The rest of this guide goes over the average medical assistant salary in Illinois, as a whole, as well as in specific IL cities. Plus, learn how medical assistant salaries in IL compare to other states and other occupations in IL.

Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois

Across the United States, medical assistant salaries average $37,190 per year or $17.88 per hour. Illinois medical assistants earn slightly more than that, with an average pay of $37,910 per year or $18.23 per hour.

The job outlook for medical assistants is great, with the number of jobs expected to increase by 16% by 2031, much faster than the national average of 5%.

Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois vs Other States

Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois Cities

  • Bloomington, IL – $35,290 ($16.96)
  • Carbondale-Marion, IL – $32,800 ($15.77)
  • Champaign-Urbana, IL – $37,120 ($17.85)
  • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI – $38,910 ($18.71)
  • Danville, IL – $32,190 ($15.48)
  • Decatur, IL – $34,770 ($16.71)
  • Kankakee, IL – $36,550 ($17.57)
  • Peoria, IL – $34,590 ($16.63)
  • Rockford, IL – $36,940 ($17.76)
  • Springfield, IL – $35,730 ($17.18)

Medical Assistant vs Certified Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois

While Illinois does not require medical assistants to be certified, it is important to remember that most employers prefer to hire someone who has demonstrated commitment and competency by passing their certification exam.

Certified medical assistants earn about 10% more than non-certified medical assistants. Being certified also gives you more opportunities for advancement or promotions, allowing you to make even more.

You can become a certified medical assistant in as little as six weeks to four months through an online program. You can also earn your medical assistant certification or degree through a community college or university program. After completion of an accredited program, you can take your certification exam to become a CMA, RMA, or CCMA, depending on which exam you take.

Make sure you choose an accredited program with high passing rates for the certification exam. Many programs also help with job placement after you graduate.

Stepful has a 4-month Illinois medical assistant program that includes an externship and a 100% job placement guarantee.

Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in Illinois

Medical assistants are in high demand now, and the available jobs for medical assistants are expected to continue increasing over the next several years. Between 2021 and 2031, medical assisting jobs are expected to increase by 16%.

Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois vs. Other Occupations

Medical assistants make a decent salary compared to other occupations with other education requirements. While there are higher-paying jobs out there, they usually require much more education or experience.

Here are job salaries with similar education requirements:

Here are some jobs that require more training compared to medical assistants:

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Better Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois

Medical assistants make a decent salary for starting out. Like most other professions, there are extra things you can do or skills you can master that will help you become more valuable to your employer and be able to negotiate a better salary.

Having extra skills and certifications not only gets you a better salary, but it may allow you to have more freedom in choosing the type of office you prefer or the hours you would like to work.

Skills to improve your salary include:

  • Get your medical assisting certification. Getting your medical assisting certification shows that you have the knowledge required to safely care for patients.
  • Complete a phlebotomy course. Most medical assistants will have to perform blood draws. Completing a phlebotomy course will prepare you to perform your duties well.
  • Complete an EKG course. An EKG course will teach you how to take a reading of your patient's heart rhythm to help the physician diagnose an underlying problem.
  • Stay current on new technologies and procedures. Healthcare is always changing. Staying up to date on best practices helps you take good care of the patients in your office
  • Attend continuing education courses. Completing continuing education courses shows that you are willing to do extra work to learn more about how to do your best as a medical assistant.
  • Take a medical billing or coding class. Since medical assisting includes administrative tasks, understanding medical billing is an important part of the job.
  • Learn a second language. Illinois is a place where people of all backgrounds live. Knowing a second language can be very valuable for a medical assistant working with a variety of different patients.

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