Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Diego, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$44,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$28,947 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$24,260 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $51,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $39,270▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $65,280▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $81,600▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,947 | $31,481▲ | -$2,534 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,875 | $47,124▲ | -$10,249 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $24,260 | $29,089▲ | -$4,829 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 145,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $7,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($28,947 vs $31,481 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.