If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant in Illinois, you will need to complete an accredited training program.
The good news is that many schools throughout the state offer these programs.
In this article, we will take a look at five of the best medical assistant schools in Illinois as well as provide information on salaries and job outlook in this field.
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- 5 Medical Assistant Schools in Illinois
- Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in Illinois
- Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois
- Schools by City
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the annual fees for holding my license as a medical assistant in Illinois?
- How often do I need to renew my medical assistant license in Illinois?
- How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Illinois?
- Do I need to be certified to work as a medical assistant in Illinois?
- What is the average salary for a medical assistant in Illinois?
5 Medical Assistant Schools in Illinois
In Illinois, you have several options for medical assistant training programs.
1. College of DuPage
The College of DuPage offers a medical assisting program that can be completed as a certificate or a two-year associate program.
This program is designed to prepare students for work in both clinical and administrative roles within a medical office setting.
You can take it on a full or part-time basis and tuition will cost you $5,400 to $6,000.
During the program, students will take courses in medical billing and coding, anatomy and physiology, as well as lab procedures.
They will also have the opportunity to complete an externship at a local medical facility.
2. Elgin Community College
The medical assistant program at Elgin Community College can be completed in 36 credits.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and prepares students to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Your tuition rates depend upon board approval.
During the program, students must maintain at least a C or higher in their courses.
Before their internship, students must submit a CPR certificate.
The program boasts a 100% student retention rate.
3. Harper College
Harper College offers a medical assistant program that can be completed in two semesters.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and prepares students to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
During the program, students will take courses in medical office procedures, medical law, and ethics, as well as human anatomy and physiology.
They will also complete an externship at a local medical facility.
On average, Harper College will cost you about $6.900.
4. Illinois Central College
The medical assistant program at Illinois Central College can be completed in just one year.
For less than $4,000 in tuition and 40 credit hours, you will be able to earn a medical assistant certificate.
During the program, students will take courses in medical office procedures, medical law, and ethics, as well as human anatomy and physiology.
They will also complete an externship at a local medical facility.
5. Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College offers a medical assistant program that can be completed in three semesters.
You may take day or evening classes and will earn a Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting upon completion.
Plan to pay about $4,400 in tuition here.
This program is accredited by CAAHEP and prepares students to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
During the program, students will take courses in medical office procedures, patient care techniques, medical law, and ethics, as well as human anatomy and physiology.
They will also complete an externship in an ambulatory setting.
Medical Assistant Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Illinois
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| College of DuPage | 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL |
| Elgin Community College | 1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123 |
| Harper College | 1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067 |
| Illinois Central College | 1 College Dr, East Peoria, IL 61635 |
| Joliet Junior College | Jr College, Joliet, IL 60431 |
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in Illinois
The job outlook for medical assistants is positive.
In fact, the number of jobs for medical assistants is projected to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026.
This is much faster than the average for medical occupations.
This projected medical job growth is only topped by physical therapy.
One reason for this growth is the aging population.
As baby boomers age, they will need more medical care.
This will require more medical assistants to help care for them.
Another reason for the growth of medical assistant jobs is the increasing number of medical facilities.
As the population grows, so does the need for doctors and other medical professionals.
This means that more medical offices and clinics will be opening, which will lead to more job opportunities for medical assistants.
Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois
In Illinois, the average salary for a medical assistant is $31,000 per year.
However, salaries will vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.
For instance, medical assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area earn an average salary of $40,000 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $40,223 |
| Rockford | $37,338 |
| Aurora | $39,887 |
| Naperville | $39,499 |
| Peoria | $36,621 |
| Springfield | $34,994 |
| Joliet | $39,225 |
| Elgin | $39,539 |
| Waukegan | $37,958 |
| Cicero | $40,223 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 250 | $38,660 | $18.59 | $46,610 | $30,300 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 390 | $36,140 | $17.38 | $43,660 | $30,690 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 690 | $38,660 | $18.59 | $44,260 | $31,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 16,820 | $42,100 | $20.24 | $50,300 | $31,940 |
| Danville, IL | 60 | $35,450 | $17.05 | $44,300 | $27,040 |
| Decatur, IL | 90 | $37,850 | $18.2 | $45,320 | $28,260 |
| Kankakee, IL | 240 | $38,680 | $18.59 | $44,190 | $32,540 |
| Peoria, IL | 790 | $37,370 | $17.97 | $44,610 | $30,370 |
| Rockford, IL | 950 | $38,380 | $18.45 | $43,710 | $33,080 |
| Springfield, IL | 890 | $37,460 | $18.01 | $42,470 | $30,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the annual fees for holding my license as a medical assistant in Illinois?
There is no annual fee to maintain your medical assistant license in Illinois.
How often do I need to renew my medical assistant license in Illinois?
Your medical assistant license in Illinois does not need to be renewed.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Illinois?
It typically takes one to two years to become a medical assistant in Illinois.
This includes completing an accredited medical assistant program and passing the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
Do I need to be certified to work as a medical assistant in Illinois?
No, you are not required to be certified to work as a medical assistant in Illinois.
However, becoming certified may improve your job prospects as many employers prefer certification.
What is the average salary for a medical assistant in Illinois?
In Illinois, the average salary for a medical assistant is $31,000 per year.
However, salaries will vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.
For example, if you work in Chicago with certification, you will most likely have a higher than average income that can go over $40,000.
In conclusion, many great medical assistant programs in Illinois can help you start your career in the medical field.
The job outlook for medical assistants in Illinois is positive and the average salary is good.
If you have any questions, be sure to ask your program director or a licensed medical professional.
