What should I know when considering a in Medical Assistant career? The medical assisting career has a positive job outlook. Duties for a medical assistant can range from clerical tasks, to assisting with patient care. The salary for a medical assistant ranges from $20,000 to $34,000 annually. What does a medical assistant do? Typically, a medical assistant, otherwise known as a medical office clerk, has a 40-hour week. Work duties can vary according to the health care office, but usually responsibilities include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating medical records, coordinating patient admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. In more specialized medical offices, assistants are trained to do clinical tasks such as giving medications and performing X-rays. What is the job outlook for a medical assistant? The need for medical assistants is expected to increase greatly over the next 20 years. However, job prospects are best for medical assistants with 1-2 years of formal training or experience, particularly those with certification. Medical assistants who are dependable and show initiative may advance into a teaching or office manager position.How much money will a medical assistant make? The average yearly salary for a medical assistant is $25,000, with a range from $20,000 to $30,000, depending on experience and location. Health and retirement benefits vary by workplace