Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$34,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$37,363 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$33,146 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $34,000 | $53,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,180 | $40,810▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,520 | $67,840▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $54,400 | $84,800▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $37,363▲ | $28,495 | +$8,868 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,163 | $44,418▲ | -$14,255 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,146▲ | $23,881 | +$9,265 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 130,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $19,000 more (median: $34,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($37,363 vs $28,495 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.