Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Indianapolis, IN 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
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$35,556 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$31,819 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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 | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,556▲ | $28,495 | +$7,061 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $28,637 | $44,418▲ | -$15,781 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,819▲ | $23,881 | +$7,938 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 130,000 | -92,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN 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 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($35,556 vs $28,495 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.