Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$44,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$28,947 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$24,260 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $53,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $40,810▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $67,840▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $84,800▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,947▲ | $28,495 | +$452 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,875 | $44,418▲ | -$7,543 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $24,260▲ | $23,881 | +$379 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 130,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $9,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($28,947 vs $28,495 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.