Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $25.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $25.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,579 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,545 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, medical assistants earn a median hourly pay of $25.28, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $23.06. This compensation is particularly relevant for part-time medical assistants working three days a week, as well as for those in per-diem roles across various healthcare settings, including primary care exam rooms, specialty practice procedure rooms, urgent care facilities, and outpatient clinics. Hourly wages range from $20.53 for entry-level positions up to $37.93 for experienced professionals, indicating a diverse pay scale that reflects both experience and the specific demands of different healthcare environments. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.53 | $164.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.14 | $193.14 |
| Median (P50) | $25.28 | $202.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.33 | $250.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.93 | $303.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $25.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.28/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $52,576 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,332. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,011.07 | $4,381 | $52,576 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $606.64 | $2,629 | $31,545 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $404.43 | $1,753 | $21,030 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Santa Cruz) | $25.28 |
| 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 Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $52,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.40% above the California state average of $51,854.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.28/hr = $31,545/year (purchasing power: $28,705).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,576/year (purchasing power: $47,841).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Santa Cruz grew 14.7% from $21.00/hr (2019) to $24.08/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.53/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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz
For those considering flexible work options, a medical assistant clocking in at 24 hours per week may take home a significantly lower annual salary than their full-time counterparts. Typically, per-diem opportunities offer varied pay, with common billing rates for agency medical assistants falling between $20 and $30 per hour. In specialty practices such as dermatology and plastics, the per diem pay often reaches $25 to $38, while urgent care facilities may offer additional stipends for longer shifts. Hourly rates differ across employer types; for example, primary care offices may pay lower rates compared to urgent care chains or specialty clinics, where the demand for skilled medical assistants can lead to a premium. While some professionals might accept lower hourly rates for the benefits associated with full-time positions, others may choose higher pay without benefits. For those in Santa Cruz, knowing how to negotiate an hourly wage—especially in a competitive market—is crucial for maximizing earning potential.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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
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 Santa Cruz. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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