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

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

In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $55,100 ($26.49/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $41,100/year and the 90th was $76,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $45,107 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$55,100$26.49 per hour · $4,592 monthly
10th Percentile$41,100$19.76/hr base
25th Percentile$47,100$22.64/hr base
75th Percentile$64,000$30.77/hr base
90th Percentile$76,800$36.92/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

$55,100
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$55,100
Net 82%
Fed 8%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,107After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,759Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,735Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,432 / yr
California state income tax$1,346 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,215 / yr

Medical Secretaries and Administrative 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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.76/hr$3,425$41,100$34,577
25th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$39,158
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$26.49/hr$4,592$55,100$45,107
75th Percentile$30.77/hr$5,333$64,000$51,709
90th Percentile$36.92/hr$6,400$76,800$59,940

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 $$55,100 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 Ratio51.9%of area median income

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

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

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

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $55,100, which equates to approximately $4,592 per month or $26.49 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $26.49 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.76/hour and one in ten earned more than $36.92/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $41,100 at the 10th percentile to $47,100 at the 25th, $64,000 at the 75th, and $76,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $55,100, an estimated $45,107 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,735 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,993 (an effective rate of 18.1%).

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

On the median annual salary of $55,100, gross monthly income is $4,592. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,759 per month (or $1,735 every two weeks).

Is $55,100 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

At $55,100, the median salary for medical secretaries is 51.9% 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.