Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$45,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$26,012 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$21,799 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $50,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $38,500▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $64,000▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $80,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $26,012 | $26,738▲ | -$726 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $37,713 | $43,035▲ | -$5,322 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $21,799 | $23,013▲ | -$1,214 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 170,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $5,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($26,012 vs $26,738 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.