Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in San Mateo, CA: $25.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in San Mateo, CA runs $25.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,426 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against San Mateo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,454 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Mateo, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected to be $25.20 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $23.06. This competitive rate offers substantial earnings for both full-time and part-time medical assistants, including those working per diem in healthcare settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care centers, and specialty practices. Entry-level positions may start from $18.60, while seasoned professionals can earn as high as $34.02 hourly, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within this vital profession. Such a wage structure allows part-time medical assistants, who may work approximately three days a week, the flexibility to maintain a work-life balance while still contributing effectively to healthcare teams.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.60 | $148.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.67 | $173.33 |
| Median (P50) | $25.20 | $201.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.99 | $215.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.02 | $272.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Mateo
Based on $25.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.20/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Mateo, CA can expect to earn approximately $52,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,244. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Mateo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Mateo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,008.13 | $4,369 | $52,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $604.88 | $2,621 | $31,454 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.25 | $1,747 | $20,969 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (San Mateo) | $25.20 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $52,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.31% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.10% above the California state average of $51,856.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.20/hr = $31,454/year (purchasing power: $27,811).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,423/year (purchasing power: $46,351).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in San Mateo grew 31.3% from $18.29/hr (2019) to $24.01/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.46/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in San Mateo
Analyzing the earning potential offers deeper insights for those navigating the medical assistant field in San Mateo. A medical assistant working three days a week at $25.20 per hour can bring home approximately $39,624 annually, less than a full-time counterpart but still a respectable income, especially for those seeking flexibility. For per diem medical assistants in San Mateo, the pay can vary widely. In specialty practices, the rates can reach between $25 and $38 per hour, and urgent care facilities often provide stipends for longer shifts, which may add $50 to $150 on top of the hourly rate. Various employers influence hourly rates; corporate clinics or urgent care chains might offer competitive salaries but may not always provide benefits found in primary care or hospital systems. When negotiating, medical assistants can leverage their certification, such as those from AAMA or NHA, to secure better hourly rates or benefits packages tailored to their professional needs and lifestyle choices.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in San Mateo in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in San Mateo?
Are medical assistants in San Mateo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical assistant make per year in San Mateo?
Do medical assistants earn more per hour working part-time in San Mateo?
Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in San Mateo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for San Mateo 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