Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$37,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$35,922 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$32,362 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $37,000 | $50,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,490 | $38,500▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,360 | $64,000▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,200 | $80,000▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,922▲ | $26,738 | +$9,184 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,333 | $43,035▲ | -$9,702 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,362▲ | $23,013 | +$9,349 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 170,000 | -107,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $37,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($35,922 vs $26,738 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% vs 6.85%).
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.