Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$28,495 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$23,881 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000▲ | $51,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810▲ | $39,270 | +$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840▲ | $65,280 | +$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800▲ | $81,600 | +$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,495 | $31,481▲ | -$2,986 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,418 | $47,124▲ | -$2,706 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $23,881 | $29,089▲ | -$5,208 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 145,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $2,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($28,495 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.