Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$28,495 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$23,881 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000▲ | $47,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810▲ | $36,190 | +$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840▲ | $60,160 | +$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800▲ | $75,200 | +$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,495 | $29,012▲ | -$517 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,418▲ | $41,257 | +$3,161 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $23,881 | $25,467▲ | -$1,586 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 105,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $6,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($28,495 vs $29,012 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% 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.