Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Atlanta, GA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$38,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$35,185 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$30,726 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $53,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $40,810▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $67,840▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $84,800▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 186 | -78 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 9.3% | -3.8100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,185▲ | $28,495 | +$6,690 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,184 | $44,418▲ | -$11,234 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,726▲ | $23,881 | +$6,845 |
| Total Employment | 75,000 | 130,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 186), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($35,185 vs $28,495 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.