San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Medical Assistant Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan area, medical assistants earned a median annual wage of $50,200 ($24.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,700/year and the 90th was $78,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $41,464 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$50,200$24.13 per hour · $4,183 monthly
10th Percentile$39,700$19.09/hr base
25th Percentile$46,700$22.45/hr base
75th Percentile$62,500$30.05/hr base
90th Percentile$78,100$37.55/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$50,200
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,200
Net 83%
Fed 8%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,464After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,455Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,595Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,844 / yr
California state income tax$1,052 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,840 / yr

Medical Assistants Wage Percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Medical Assistants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.09/hr$3,308$39,700$33,508
25th Percentile$22.45/hr$3,892$46,700$38,853
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.13/hr$4,183$50,200$41,464
75th Percentile$30.05/hr$5,208$62,500$50,609
90th Percentile$37.55/hr$6,508$78,100$60,751

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$50,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$106,268Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.911.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.2%of area median income

Compare medical assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assistants Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

What is the median salary for medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $50,200, which equates to approximately $4,183 per month or $24.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The median hourly wage for medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $24.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.09/hour and one in ten earned more than $37.55/hour.

What is the pay range for medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

BLS wage estimates for medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $39,700 at the 10th percentile to $46,700 at the 25th, $62,500 at the 75th, and $78,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical assistants take home after taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

On a median gross salary of $50,200, an estimated $41,464 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,595 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,736 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do medical assistants make per month in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

On the median annual salary of $50,200, gross monthly income is $4,183. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,455 per month (or $1,595 every two weeks).

Is $50,200 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

At $50,200, the median salary for medical assistants is 47.2% of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA median household income ($106,268). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.9, making regional consumer goods and services 11.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.