Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$29,012 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$25,467 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $53,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $40,810▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $67,840▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $84,800▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $29,012▲ | $28,495 | +$517 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $41,257 | $44,418▲ | -$3,161 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $25,467▲ | $23,881 | +$1,586 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 130,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $6,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($29,012 vs $28,495 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% 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.