Medical Assistant Pay

San Francisco vs San Ramon: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between San Francisco, CA and San Ramon, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$62,762
$30.18/hr
San Ramon, CA
$51,819
$24.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CASan Ramon, CA
Median Salary$62,762$51,819
Hourly Rate$30.18$24.91
Entry Level (P10)$49,409$39,749
25th Percentile$52,611$42,390
75th Percentile$81,100$55,502
Top Earner (P90)$83,714$66,159
Total Employed14,32019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($62,762) and San Ramon ($51,819) medical assistant salaries.San FranciscoSan RamonMedian Salary$62,762$51,819Entry Level (P10)$49,409$39,749Top Earner (P90)$83,714$66,159US Median $47,961

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Ramon.

The salary gap between San Francisco and San Ramon is $10,943 (21.12%). San Francisco's median is +30.86% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $34,305,San Ramon spans $26,410. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$49,409
P25$52,611
Median$62,762
P75$81,100
P90 (Top)$83,714
San Ramon
P10 (Entry)$39,749
P25$42,390
Median$51,819
P75$55,502
P90 (Top)$66,159

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($54,286 effective) pays 18.49% more than San Ramon ($45,817 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $62,762
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $54,286
San Ramon
Nominal: $51,819
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $45,817

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,762/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,714)
  • Larger job market (14,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,286)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Ramon if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in San Francisco grew 23.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.0% growth in San Ramon over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+23.6%

$48,370 (2019) → $59,790 (2025)

San Ramon, CA

+-16.0%

$58,748 (2024) → $49,366 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: San Francisco or San Ramon?

San Francisco has a higher median medical assistant salary at $62,762/year, compared to San Ramon at $51,819/year — a difference of $10,943 (21.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and San Ramon?

San Francisco medical assistants earn $30.18/hr while San Ramon hygienists earn $24.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to San Ramon as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and San Ramon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $54,286, San Ramon = $45,817), job availability (14,320 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in San Francisco vs San Ramon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $49,409 in San Francisco and $39,749 in San Ramon. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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