Medical Assistant Pay

Sacramento vs Vallejo: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Sacramento, CA and Vallejo, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$65,050
$31.27/hr
Vallejo, CA
$81,257
$39.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$65,050$81,257
Hourly Rate$31.27$39.07
Entry Level (P10)$47,583$49,493
25th Percentile$51,089$55,036
75th Percentile$80,858$81,383
Top Earner (P90)$81,971$81,667
Total Employed7,4101,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($65,050) and Vallejo ($81,257) medical assistant salaries.SacramentoVallejoMedian Salary$65,050$81,257Entry Level (P10)$47,583$49,493Top Earner (P90)$81,971$81,667US Median $47,961

Verdict

Sacramento and Vallejo are closely matched on overall medical assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Vallejo is $16,207 (24.91%). Vallejo's median is +69.42% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $34,388,Vallejo spans $32,174. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$47,583
P25$51,089
Median$65,050
P75$80,858
P90 (Top)$81,971
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$49,493
P25$55,036
Median$81,257
P75$81,383
P90 (Top)$81,667

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vallejo ($74,906 effective) pays 22.83% more than Sacramento ($60,982 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $65,050
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $60,982
Vallejo
Nominal: $81,257
CoL Index: 108.479
Adjusted: $74,906

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,971)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vallejo if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,257/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,906)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Sacramento grew 55.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.3% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+55.5%

$39,850 (2019) → $61,970 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+41.3%

$54,780 (2019) → $77,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Sacramento or Vallejo?

Vallejo has a higher median medical assistant salary at $81,257/year, compared to Sacramento at $65,050/year — a difference of $16,207 (24.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Vallejo?

Sacramento medical assistants earn $31.27/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $39.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Vallejo as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $60,982, Vallejo = $74,906), job availability (7,410 vs 1,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Sacramento vs Vallejo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $47,583 in Sacramento and $49,493 in Vallejo. The Vallejo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EC

Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov