Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$49,300$23.70 per hour · $4,108 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Medical Assistants Wage Percentiles in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $18.75/hr | $3,250 | $39,000 | $32,974 |
| 25th Percentile | $22.07/hr | $3,825 | $45,900 | $38,242 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $23.70/hr | $4,108 | $49,300 | $40,795 |
| 75th Percentile | $29.52/hr | $5,117 | $61,400 | $49,791 |
| 90th Percentile | $36.88/hr | $6,392 | $76,700 | $59,878 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$49,300 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare medical assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assistants Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
What is the median salary for medical assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for medical assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $49,300, which equates to approximately $4,108 per month or $23.70 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for medical assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median hourly wage for medical assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $23.70 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.75/hour and one in ten earned more than $36.88/hour.
What is the pay range for medical assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
BLS wage estimates for medical assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $39,000 at the 10th percentile to $45,900 at the 25th, $61,400 at the 75th, and $76,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do medical assistants take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On a median gross salary of $49,300, an estimated $40,795 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,569 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,505 (an effective rate of 17.3%).
How much do medical assistants make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On the median annual salary of $49,300, gross monthly income is $4,108. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,400 per month (or $1,569 every two weeks).
Is $49,300 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
At $49,300, the median salary for medical assistants is 44.4% of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA median household income ($111,093). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 109.9, making regional consumer goods and services 9.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.