How much does a medical assistant make in San Diego?
$49,420a year
Median yearly pay for medical assistants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $23.76 an hour or $4,118 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.76
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 42 of 389
- Jobs in the area
- 9,370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $43,340Median: $49,420Highest 10%: $66,340
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,340 | $20.84 | |
| 25th | $47,690 | $22.93 | |
| Median | $49,420 | $23.76 | |
| 75th | $60,480 | $29.08 | |
| 90th | $66,340 | $31.89 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for medical assistants.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $82,680 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $82,160 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $67,830 |
| Phlebotomist | $58,170 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,120 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $57,740 |
| Orderly | $49,410 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,070 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $46,720 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $46,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $23.76 ($49,420 a year).
Do medical assistants make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $49,420 against $45,690 nationally, 8% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $49,660, so San Diego pays 0% more.
Where does San Diego rank for medical assistant pay?
42 of 389 metro areas with data.
How much does a medical assistant make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $66,340 or more.
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.