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The differences between medical assistants and licensed practical nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical assistant, becoming a licensed practical nurse takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a licensed practical nurse has an average salary of $52,912, which is higher than the $34,900 average annual salary of a medical assistant.
The top three skills for a medical assistant include patients, vital signs and patient care. The most important skills for a licensed practical nurse are patients, CPR, and home health.
| Medical Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $34,900 | $52,912 |
| Hourly rate | $16.78 | $25.44 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 189,915 | 614,369 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 24% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 37 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Medical assistants provide support to medical practitioners in both administrative and clerical tasks. They keep and update the patient's medical records, administer medicines under the supervision of a physician, assist during medical examinations, prepare medical samples for laboratory testing, manage the schedule of appointments, and assist the patients with their bills and in filling out needed forms, such as insurance-related documents. Medical assistants should have good communication skills and analytical skills, be organized, and be flexible. They should also have knowledge of how to operate some medical equipment such as x-ray machines.
Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.
Medical assistants and licensed practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average salary | $34,900 | $52,912 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $37,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse in terms of educational background:
| Medical Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 24% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | Emory University |
Here are the differences between medical assistants' and licensed practical nurses' demographics:
| Medical Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average age | 37 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6% | Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |