Medical assistant jobs in Nevada

Nevada's labor agency predicts the number of medical assistant jobs will climb from 7,490 positions in 2024 to 9,710 in 2034, which works out to 29.6% growth. That is well above the 12.5% national rate, according to Projections Central. Nevada ranks 3rd of 51, counting Washington, DC, for projected growth.

Roughly 1,240 openings are expected each year. This total includes positions that are newly created along with roles that open up as workers move on.

Around 7,760 people in Nevada work as medical assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to 5.0 for every 1,000 jobs statewide. For the number of medical assistant jobs, Nevada ranks 31st of 51.

The median yearly pay is $45,200, which works out to $21.73 an hour. Half of medical assistants earn more than that, and half earn less. Across the country, the median is $45,690, and Nevada places 26th of 51 in pay, according to federal wage data.

Workers in the middle earn yearly pay of $38,270 to $47,330. The lowest-paid tenth make $37,400 or less, while the best-paid tenth make $55,120 or more.

The Las Vegas area holds most of the medical assistant jobs in Nevada. Reno and Carson City offer fewer positions, though the median pay is higher in each.

The state of Nevada has no certification requirement for medical assistants. State law defines the role, but no license or certificate is issued by the state, as the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners explains.

Employers must document that you received training and are able to handle each assigned task. Because your employer has to document your training, accredited programs are a good place to begin.

Medical assistants in Nevada take direction from a physician or physician assistant, who assigns specific tasks. For invasive procedures, the doctor or physician assistant who assigned the task must be available in person right away. Only in rural areas can that supervision be remote.

Medical assistants cannot diagnose, begin treatment, or prescribe. Taking x-rays requires a full or limited license issued by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

This site lists 10 Nevada schools that report their medical assistant graduates to the federal government. Of those, 4 run accredited programs, meaning an outside organization has reviewed the program and confirmed it meets set standards. CAAHEP and ABHES are the 2 organizations that do that review.

Among career schools that report program length, the median is 9 months. Among those that publish a whole-program price, the median is $17,257 for tuition, fees and books. At public colleges, local students pay a median of $4,346 for each year of full-time study.

Some programs offer online classes. The externship, which is hands-on practice in a real clinic under supervision, always takes place in person.

Pick an accredited program from the Nevada program table and send that school its short "Request information" form.

Nationally, the median yearly pay for medical assistants is $45,690. That is more than the median for nursing assistants and phlebotomists, and less than the median for licensed practical or vocational nurses and registered nurses.

With about 1,240 openings a year in Nevada, now is a good time to start. Choose an accredited program from the Nevada table, then send the short form to ask that school about its start dates and costs.