Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$28,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$33,735 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$31,171 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $28,000 | $53,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,560 | $40,810▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,840 | $67,840▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,800 | $84,800▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $33,735▲ | $28,495 | +$5,240 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $25,872 | $44,418▲ | -$18,546 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,171▲ | $23,881 | +$7,290 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 130,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $28,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($33,735 vs $28,495 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.