Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Charlotte, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Charlotte, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$35,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$34,314 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$30,279 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $53,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $40,810▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $67,840▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $84,800▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 186 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,314▲ | $28,495 | +$5,819 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,885 | $44,418▲ | -$13,533 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,279▲ | $23,881 | +$6,398 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 130,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 186), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($34,314 vs $28,495 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.