Medical Assistant Salary in Buena Park, CA: $52,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Buena Park, CA earns a median $52,534/year (≈ $25.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,449 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buena Park, California, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants is $52,534 in 2026, reflecting a robust 9.53% increase compared to the national median of $47,961. This diverse market shows a salary range from $41,467 at the 10th percentile to $66,754 at the 90th percentile, indicating that the potential for higher earnings exists for those who bring specialized skills or bilingual capabilities. Local estimates derived from state-level BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living, such as Buena Park's cost of living index of 113.1, underline the competitive nature of medical assistant pay in this urban area. As seeking bilingual medical assistants becomes a common requirement among employers, many professionals in this field can expect to enjoy a financial edge over their peers in less diverse regions.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,467 | $19.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,852 | $21.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,534 | $25.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,914 | $26.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,754 | $32.09 |
Median Salary Position
9.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,287 (2026 est.). At $52,534, the local median is 9.53% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buena Park Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $52,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,860 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +9.53% more |
Medical Assistants in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $52,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.53% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.30% above the California state average of $51,860.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,534 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,449 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,119
2025 BLS Actual
$50,047
2026 Current Est.
$52,534
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,119 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,269 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,919 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,005 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,558 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $38,119 (2019) to $50,047 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,026 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,467 – $43,852 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,852 – $52,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,534 – $55,914 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,914 – $66,754 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Buena Park
While there are currently around 20 medical assistants employed in Buena Park, the job market is characterized by strong demand particularly in urgent care clinics, specialty practices, and hospital outpatient services. The cost of living index suggests a higher expense for residents, which stresses the importance of maximizing take-home pay. Employers in specialty fields like dermatology and orthopedics typically offer higher salaries, often 20-40% more than those in primary care settings. Candidates who invest in additional certifications—such as phlebotomy or EKG training—may also see increased earnings. Those interested in navigating higher pay brackets should prioritize gaining skills that cater to the bilingual population or consider shifts in urgent care roles, which often come with lead pay increases. Understanding these local dynamics can significantly shape earning potential in Buena Park, CA.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical assistants make $100K in Buena Park?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,047 for medical assistantsin the Buena Park metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park 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