Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$26,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$30,588 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$28,264 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $26,000 | $53,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,020 | $40,810▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,280 | $67,840▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $41,600 | $84,800▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,588▲ | $28,495 | +$2,093 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $24,024 | $44,418▲ | -$20,394 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,264▲ | $23,881 | +$4,383 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 130,000 | -115,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $26,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($30,588 vs $28,495 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.