verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Medical Assistant Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$49,660/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$23.88/hr
▲ 9% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
117,060
public U.S. Median
$45,690
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$44,852 #28 of 51

Medical Assistant pay in California, explained

Medical assistants in California earn a median of $49,660 per year ($23.88 per hour), which is 9% above the national median of $45,690. Entry-level workers earn around $39,290, while the most experienced medical assistants reach about $77,300. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $49,660 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $49,660 is worth about $44,852 in national buying power — ranking California #28 for real pay (vs #6 on the sticker number).

See the full Medical Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Medical Assistant pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$39,290
$18.89/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$49,660
$23.88/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$77,300
$37.16/hr

Medical Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $49,660 $44,852
Oregon $50,410 $48,771 −$750
Arizona $45,940 $45,631 +$3,720
Nevada $45,200 $45,209 +$4,460

Medical Assistant in California: FAQ

How much do medical assistants make in California?

Medical assistants in California earn a median of $49,660 per year ($23.88 per hour), compared with $45,690 nationally.

Does California pay medical assistants well?

At $49,660, California pays 9% above the national median for medical assistants. An estimated 117,060 work in the state.

Medical Assistant salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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