Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$36,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$32,143 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$28,319 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $53,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $40,810▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $67,840▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $84,800▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,143▲ | $28,495 | +$3,648 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,717 | $44,418▲ | -$12,701 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,319▲ | $23,881 | +$4,438 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 130,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $17,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($32,143 vs $28,495 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.