Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$35,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$31,818 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$29,400 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $53,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $40,810▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $67,840▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $84,800▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $31,818▲ | $28,495 | +$3,323 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $44,418▲ | -$12,078 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,400▲ | $23,881 | +$5,519 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 130,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($31,818 vs $28,495 equivalent). Nashville, 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.