Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$45,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$26,012 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$21,799 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $53,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $40,810▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $67,840▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $84,800▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $26,012 | $28,495▲ | -$2,483 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $37,713 | $44,418▲ | -$6,705 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $21,799 | $23,881▲ | -$2,082 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 130,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $8,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($26,012 vs $28,495 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.