The number of uninsured in Rhode Island continues to drop, courtesy of the Affordable Care Act, reaching a low of 4.1% in 2018 according to the Economic Progress Institute. As greater numbers of Rhode Islanders receive coverage, the state’s healthcare industry reaps the rewards, and healthcare support professionals like medical assistants are enjoying better and more varied opportunities than ever.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, positive growth projections for medical assistants reflect the strength of the state’s healthcare industry. As of 2019, there were 2,450 medical assistants working here. By 2021, this number is projected to increase by nearly 3% just to keep pace with demand, an impressive rate of growth in just a few short years, and one of the fastest in the nation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed an average hourly wage of $17.62, or $36,650 annually for Rhode Island medical assistants as of 2019. The highest earners in this field (top 10%) – likely those with substantial experience and professional certification – earned an average hourly wage of $23.79, or $49,490 a year during this time. In other words, there’s plenty of room for growth in Rhode Island’s medical assisting field, both in terms of job opportunities and income potential.
Average Hourly Wages for Medical Assistants in Providence
The BLS reported an average, hourly wage range (median – top 10%) of $17.67 – $23.87 for medical assistants in Rhode Island’s largest metro area of Providence. There were 3,140 medical assistants working here as of 2019.
Average Salaries for Medical Assistants in Providence
Medical assistants in the median – top 10% salary range earn $36,760 – $49,660 in the Providence metro area.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for medical assistants represents state data not school-specific information.
2019 job growth projections from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training are aggregated through the U.S. Department of Labor-Sponsored resource, Projections Central.
Conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and employment data accessed May 2020.