Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Daly City, CA: $40,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Daly City, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,428 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Daly City's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,745 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($53,244) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, recent graduates entering the medical assistant field in Daly City can expect to start their careers with salaries around $40,428. This entry-level pay falls significantly short of the median annual salary of $53,244 for the area, highlighting a typical gap that new hires should anticipate. However, there is potential for growth as early-career professionals progress from the lower percentiles around $43,581 to the median salary within their first few years. For new medical assistants, Daly City presents a favorable market, especially with its projected annual growth rate of 4.97%, which indicates a robust demand for these essential healthcare roles.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Daly City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
Entry-level medical assistants in Daly City, CA typically start between $40,428 and $43,581 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,850 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $53,244 — 11.02% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in California of $8,000 represents just 19.79% of the starting medical assistant pay ($40,428/year) in Daly City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Daly City
- 1Research the Daly City market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $40,428 to $43,581, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Daly City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Daly City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Daly City's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Daly City is $27,850 ( 68.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,428, experienced hygienists can earn up to $68,278.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,585
2025 BLS Actual
$38,514
2026 Current Est.
$40,428
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,585 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,771 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,057 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,028 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,437 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Daly City, CA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,585 in 2019 to $38,514 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,437. New graduates entering the Daly City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Daly City
Many employers in Daly City actively recruit new graduates, particularly primary care offices and urgent care facilities that offer structured onboarding programs tailored to inexperienced medical assistants. Specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics tend to prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, while Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may provide attractive options for bilingual candidates and offer National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment. New graduates aiming to enhance their starting medical assistant pay in CA should consider pursuing accredited diplomas or associate degrees, as well as obtaining national certifications from organizations like the AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT. Career advancement within the first few years can be impressive, especially given that positions in corporate occupational health and primary care settings are expected to absorb much of the workforce growth, paving the way for competitive salaries that can rise significantly over time.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Daly City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Daly City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov