Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,000 vs $41,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$28,495 vs $32,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$23,881 vs $28,295
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000▲ | $41,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810▲ | $31,570 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840▲ | $52,480 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800▲ | $65,600 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,495 | $32,031▲ | -$3,536 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,418▲ | $36,217 | +$8,201 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $23,881 | $28,295▲ | -$4,414 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 70,000 | +60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $41,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($28,495 vs $32,031 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.