Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Pittsburgh, PA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$33,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$36,667 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$32,840 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $33,000 | $53,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,410 | $40,810▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,240 | $67,840▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,800 | $84,800▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 9.3% | -6.23% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,667▲ | $28,495 | +$8,172 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $29,556 | $44,418▲ | -$14,862 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,840▲ | $23,881 | +$8,959 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 130,000 | -95,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $33,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($36,667 vs $28,495 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% 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.