Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$32,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$35,955 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$31,810 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $32,000 | $53,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,640 | $40,810▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,960 | $67,840▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $51,200 | $84,800▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 186 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 9.3% | -5.050000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,955▲ | $28,495 | +$7,460 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $28,311 | $44,418▲ | -$16,107 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,810▲ | $23,881 | +$7,929 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 130,000 | -92,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $21,000 more (median: $32,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 186), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($35,955 vs $28,495 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.