Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$46,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$30,263 vs $28,495
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$26,145 vs $23,881
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $53,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $40,810▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $67,840▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $84,800▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,263▲ | $28,495 | +$1,768 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,741 | $44,418▲ | -$4,677 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $26,145▲ | $23,881 | +$2,264 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 130,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $7,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($30,263 vs $28,495 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.