How much does a medical assistant make in California?
$49,660a year
Median yearly pay for medical assistants in California. That is $23.88 an hour or $4,138 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.88
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 117,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,290Median: $49,660Highest 10%: $77,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,290 | $18.89 | |
| 25th | $46,240 | $22.23 | |
| Median | $49,660 | $23.88 | |
| 75th | $61,870 | $29.75 | |
| 90th | $77,300 | $37.16 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Vallejo, CA | $77,410 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $64,820 |
| Napa, CA | $62,050 |
| Sacramento, CA | $61,970 |
| San Jose, CA | $61,940 |
| San Francisco, CA | $59,790 |
| Oxnard, CA | $50,680 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $50,090 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,990 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $49,520 |
| Hanford, CA | $49,510 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $49,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $49,420 |
| Yuba City, CA | $49,410 |
| Salinas, CA | $48,890 |
| Stockton, CA | $47,840 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,760 |
| Chico, CA | $47,150 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,140 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,700 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $46,560 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,500 |
| Redding, CA | $46,210 |
| El Centro, CA | $45,290 |
| Merced, CA | $39,800 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for medical assistants.
| 3. District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| 4. Minnesota | $50,480 |
| 5. Oregon | $50,410 |
| 6. California | $49,660 |
| 7. Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| 8. Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| 9. Hawaii | $48,410 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $23.88 ($49,660 a year).
Do medical assistants make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $49,660 against $45,690 nationally, 9% more.
Where does California rank for medical assistant pay?
California ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays medical assistants the most?
Vallejo, CA, with a median of $77,410 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.