San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Medical Secretary Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $54,300 ($26.11/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,500/year and the 90th was $75,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $44,513 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 110.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$54,300$26.11 per hour · $4,525 monthly
10th Percentile$40,500$19.47/hr base
25th Percentile$46,500$22.36/hr base
75th Percentile$63,200$30.38/hr base
90th Percentile$75,800$36.44/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

$54,300
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,300
Net 82%
Fed 8%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,513After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,709Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,712Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,336 / yr
California state income tax$1,298 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,154 / yr

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.47/hr$3,375$40,500$34,119
25th Percentile$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$38,700
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$26.11/hr$4,525$54,300$44,513
75th Percentile$30.38/hr$5,267$63,200$51,130
90th Percentile$36.44/hr$6,317$75,800$59,317

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$54,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$162,111Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index110.410.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio33.5%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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

What is the median salary for medical secretaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $54,300, which equates to approximately $4,525 per month or $26.11 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical secretaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $26.11 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.47/hour and one in ten earned more than $36.44/hour.

What is the pay range for medical secretaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $40,500 at the 10th percentile to $46,500 at the 25th, $63,200 at the 75th, and $75,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical secretaries take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On a median gross salary of $54,300, an estimated $44,513 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,712 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,787 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do medical secretaries make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On the median annual salary of $54,300, gross monthly income is $4,525. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,709 per month (or $1,712 every two weeks).

Is $54,300 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

At $54,300, the median salary for medical secretaries is 33.5% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.