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Health care is the largest and fastest growing industry in the United States, and a large, aging population combined with medical advancements that help us live longer should continue to drive demand for medical professionals down the line. While doctors and nurses are among the most recognizable medical professionals, not all health care professionals wear scrubs or lab jackets. In fact, many of them do not have much, if any, patient contact at all. Medical secretaries are a perfect example of a health care professional that serve patients' needs behind the scenes.

What does a medical secretary do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov, 2011), secretaries support physicians and medical scientists in an administrative capacity. Just like pediatricians do different work than surgeons, the duties of medical secretaries can vary from one position or employer to the next. The following are a few of the tasks a medical secretary may perform:

• Transcribing dictations

• Preparing medical histories

• Arranging patients for hospitalization

• Orchestrating patient referrals

• Ordering supplies

A working knowledge of medical terminology, insurance rules and billing or medical records practices is necessary for anyone working in this field, so job seekers who have experience or who have attended a medical secretary program may fare well in the current job market.

Employment outlook and job prospects for medical secretaries

The future could be bright for medical secretaries: bls.gov projects that demand for these professionals will increase by 41 percent in the decade preceding 2020 -- much faster than the average for all U.S. occupations. Rapid expansion of both the health care and social assistance industries will likely contribute, as will an ever-growing patient base.

While the U.S. Department of Labor projects that medical secretaries will see employment growth in all 50 states between 2008 and 2018, the following states are expected to enjoy the fastest growth:

• Utah (46%)

• Texas (30%)

• Virginia (29%)

Medical secretary salary: 2011 ranges and other information

According to the BLS, the annual median salary for medical secretaries in 2011 was $31,060, with the middle 50 percent of professionals in the field earning a median salary of between $25,660 and $37,660. The top 10 percent of earners made a median salary in excess of $45,860. There are a number of factors that can impact a medical secretary's earnings: For example, those who work for business or professional organizations, state governments or dental offices tended to earn the most, and those who attend medical secretary schools often earned more than lesser-trained peers, according to bls.gov.

Location is another factor that may impact a medical secretary's salary. According to bls.gov, the following states were the most lucrative places for these professionals to work in 2011:

• District of Columbia ($40,280 mean)

• Alaska ($39,940 mean)

• Massachusetts ($39,310 mean)

Medical secretary training: online and off

Bls.gov reports that high school graduates with basic office and computer skills may qualify for entry-level medical secretary positions, but some employers prefer candidates with formal training. Community or technical colleges may offer medical secretary or related programs. Students may also be able to complete medical secretary training online. It pays to research options if pursuing a career as a medical secretary as schools may suit your goals, learning style and lifestyle better than others.