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Job outlook for medical service technicians in the United States
Medical service technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected medical service technician job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 18,700 new jobs for medical service technicians are projected over the next decade.
Medical service technician salaries have increased 7% for medical service technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 64,316 medical service technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 189,362 active medical service technician job openings in the US.
The average medical service technician salary is $37,943.
Are medical service technician jobs in demand?
Medical service technician job and salary trends over time
Medical service technician jobs over time
Medical service technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64,316 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 60,779 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 57,876 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 54,370 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 52,036 | 0.02% |
Average medical service technician salary over time
Medical service technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $37,943 | $18.24 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $36,912 | $17.75 | --0.7% |
| 2024 | $37,178 | $17.87 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $36,160 | $17.38 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $35,390 | $17.01 | +2.2% |
Medical service technician jobs by state
Most common states for medical service technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,372 | 44% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 278 | 40% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 354 | 37% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,021 | 36% |
| 5 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 692 | 33% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 4,085 | 32% |
| 7 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 3,322 | 32% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 238 | 32% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 422 | 31% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 419 | 31% |
| 11 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,864 | 30% |
| 12 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 251 | 29% |
| 13 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 827 | 28% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 481 | 28% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,731 | 26% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 1,171 | 26% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 491 | 26% |
| 18 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 757 | 25% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 457 | 25% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 155 | 25% |
Most common cities for medical service technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crofton | 3 | 11% | $33,947 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 6 | 10% | $33,607 |
| 3 | Rockville | 4 | 6% | $33,644 |
| 4 | Sarasota | 3 | 5% | $33,753 |
| 5 | Catonsville | 2 | 5% | $34,080 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | 5 | 2% | $30,384 |
| 7 | Durham | 3 | 1% | $29,777 |
| 8 | Charlotte | 4 | 0% | $29,061 |
| 9 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $36,029 |
| 10 | New York | 4 | 0% | $37,296 |
| 11 | San Jose | 3 | 0% | $37,419 |
Medical Service Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of medical service technician experts
University of North Texas
Midstate College
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
ACVP - Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
University of Charleston
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
What general advice would you give to a Medical Service Technician?
Candace Keck: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. This positive job outlook ensures future job opportunities and career stability.
What Medical Service Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Candace Keck: Depending on the area where the medical assistant works, such as clinic vs hospital vs care facilities, the day-to-day duties can vary. The commonality, no matter the location, is they work closely with providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses, to name a few) and other healthcare professionals to deliver patient care. It can involve direct patient care and administrative work. They need to have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a compassionate approach to patient care.
What will help Medical Service Technicians increase their earning potential?
Candace Keck: I don't have an answer to this question. I'm not scheduled to work in the hospital any time soon so would not have the opportunity to ask.
Shawn Steadman
What Medical Service Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shawn Steadman: The industry or field is growing exponentially. More and more organizations are realizing the value of emergency management and homeland security professionals in aiding their planning and operations. An area experiencing extreme growth is situational awareness and, more specifically, GIS and AI in assisting Command in managing disasters. This influx of technology includes the use of small, uncrewed aviation systems (sUAS) or drones and cyber security. There should be a balance between management skills and technological skills for individuals in the field. This rapid growth and technological advancement present exciting opportunities for learning and career development.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Service Technician?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: To maximize salary for a medical assistant obtaining certification from one of the credentialing organizations such as American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) can make a new hire more competitive. Continuing educations along with developing any specialized skills such as phlebotomy. Demonstrating professionalism initiative and reliability, along with gaining a strong reference from previous employers.
What Medical Service Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: Flexibility is a must in healthcare. You must be flexible with your job functions, time and most importantly your patients. You must be able to pivot with little to no notice and be ready and wiling to assist anyone in your clinic; providers, co-workers, patients, etc.
What will help Medical Service Technicians increase their earning potential?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: To meet the demands of evolving healthcare and provide high-quality care to patients technological proficiency (EHR systems, Telehealth support), clinical skills (any skills that can enhance what you’ve learned in school. Phlebotomy, point of care testing devices), communication and soft skills (adaptability, problem-solving, empathy and compassion) are a must. I feel a lot of the younger generation lacks the soft skills needed in healthcare/professional jobs. Administrative skills and patient care and safety (infections control and chronic disease management).
What will help Medical Service Technicians increase their earning potential?
Elyse Zavar PhD: At the core of the field of Emergency Management, and more broadly Homeland Security, is the goal to keep people and communities safe. To do this well, we have to know our communities which requires meeting stakeholders, asking questions, and listening to their experiences. I encourage all new professionals to build a professional network of individuals with diverse experiences who can serve as mentors and resources as you progress throughout your career. And then, as you do advance, reach back out to early career professionals to assist them with their professional development.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Service Technician?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): -LIKE- People who enjoy working as a Medical Assistant do it because they get a
great satisfaction from help other people. They are often the first contact with the
patient in the medical facility, which sets the tone for the rest of the visit.
They feel good making sure that their patients have the right information that they
need, the appropriate medical care they need, and helping patients feel better.
Good problem-solving skills, compassion, understanding, patience and keeping
up with a fast-paced office is very rewarding.
-DISLIKE- Some Medical Assistants have determined that there are
area/tasks/etc. that they dislike, listed below are some of these things:
You’re always around people who are sick
Long work hours can include 10 or 12-hour days
Lower starting salary, which is usually based on education and
experience level
Having to deal with stressful situations and difficult patients
Dealing with patients who are angry, cranky, anxious or not feeling well
Working under pressure from extremely tight deadlines
What Medical Service Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): duties vary, depending on the medical office/hospital/urgent/specialty clinics
where they are employed. Below are some specific job duties that are very
common in the day-in-the-life of a Medical Assistant (these duties include, but
are not limited to the following):
Greeting patients and checking them in at the Waiting room window
Collecting vital signs from patients
Answer phones as needed
Assist with scheduling patient appointments
Data entry of patient information in an electronic medical record (EMR)
Using various computer applications
Transmitting prescription refills
Insurance coding & billing
Obtain or completing procedures for preauthorizations/hospital
admissions/outside testing/etc.
Collecting specimens for Point-of-Care testing or send outs to reference
labs
Venipuncture/Examination Assistance to provider/other duties as needed
What will help Medical Service Technicians increase their earning potential?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): Medical Assistants
have become a vital member to any health care team! Below are some specific
educational areas and training that a face-to-face or hybrid Medical Assistant
Program offers and what students will do on a daily basis (or during class and lab
sessions) that will help provide training quality assurance: (these are just some of
the areas of training and education that students will receive in an CAAHEP
(Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) accredited
Medical Assistant Program:
Interacting with patients
Hands-on training with hypodermic needles used for injections and
venipuncture
Using other medical equipment like the various thermometers, pulse
oximeter, EKG machine, nebulizer, etc.
Experience with scheduling/accounting/EMR software applications
Students learn and practice many clinical procedures like patient transfers,
wound care, disease transmission prevention, completion of various
requisitions for medical testing, emergency procedures, caring for adult
and pediatric patients, and much more.
Students also learn and practice Pharmacology procedures which include
medication administration, adult and pediatric medication dosing,
medication uses, side effects/adverse effects/toxicity/etc.
Laboratory Procedures allows students to learn and practice how to
perform Point-of-Care testing, venipuncture, laboratory testing results,
urinalysis, etc.
Finally, Students will complete a Medical Assistant Program Externship at
a medical office/hospital/urgent care/specialty clinic to practice the skills
and training in real life.
Robyn Tarpley
Director of Health and Medical SciencesPennsylvania Institute of Technology
Health and Medical Sciences Department
What soft skills should all Medical Service Technicians possess?
Robyn Tarpley: Patient Care, communication skills, phone etiquette, critical thinking.
What skills will help Medical Service Technicians earn the most?
Robyn Tarpley: NHA cert- being assertive and professional.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Service Technicians to find work opportunities?
Peggy McElgunn: Frankly, cardiovascular care is still the most robust field in healthcare. This is mainly because it remains the number one killer (heart disease), but COVID 19 has impacted this. We know COVID 19 effects the heart, as well. And there are places for qualified graduates EVERYWHERE! Most hospitals offer fantastic onboarding incentives, too. And of course, they all have their protocols and policies - again, speaking the value and importance of flexibility!
Of course, again, membership in the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals offers graduates a chance to network and learn directly from those working in the field. They are also the first to hear about opportunities and openings and often drive possibilities through these connections.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Medical Service Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Amy Bruce: Within the next 3-5 years, Telemedicine will be at its peak. We are already using technology to diagnose and treat patients.
How do you envision technology impacting Medical Service Technicians in the next 5 years?
Shelly Wells Ph.D.: As technology continues to evolve and change healthcare, there will always be a role for nurses. Technology will continue to provide ways to diagnose and treat many more conditions with less invasiveness and lost time. Technology will be used to improve communication between the patient and healthcare providers as telehealth grows. New robotic surgery techniques will allow patients to recover quicker than more invasive procedures. Electronic platforms for storing health care information will improve from the current time-intensive frameworks. As the improvements continue to emerge, there will be no replacement for the problem-solving and patient-teaching skills that the registered nurse brings to the health care arena.