Medical Assistant Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $49,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $49,082/year (≈ $23.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,397 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in San Bernardino, California, can expect a median annual salary of $49,082, surpassing the national average of $47,961. This figure comes from local estimates projected based on 2025 BLS data, considering the cost of living in the area. The salary range for this role varies significantly, stretching from $35,275 at the 10th percentile to $68,271 at the 90th percentile. Such a variation highlights the influence of practice specialization on compensation, as medical assistants working in high-demand settings like dermatology or plastic surgery typically earn a substantial premium over those in primary care. Given the competitive nature of the healthcare job market in San Bernardino, professionals in this field can benefit from advanced certifications and continued education to boost their earning potential.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,275 | $16.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,610 | $20.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,082 | $23.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,399 | $25.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,271 | $32.82 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,996 (2026 est.). At $49,082, the local median is 2.34% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Medical Assistant Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $49,082/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,884 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +2.34% more |
Medical Assistants in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $49,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 5.40% below the California state average of $51,884.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,082 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,397 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,613
2025 BLS Actual
$46,758
2026 Current Est.
$49,082
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,613 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,688 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,651 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,758 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $35,613 (2019) to $46,758 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,908 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $35,275 – $41,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,610 – $49,082 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,082 – $53,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,399 – $68,271 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in San Bernardino
As of 2026, there are around 33 medical assistants employed across San Bernardino, a number that reflects both the immediate demand and growth prospects in the healthcare sector. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating a higher living expense compared to the national average, which can impact disposable income and overall purchasing power. Employers such as specialty clinics in cardiology and orthopedics often pay significantly more than primary care offices, influenced by factors like the complexity of care provided and the skills required. Bilingual medical assistants, particularly those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, often command higher wages, while having an additional certification, such as phlebotomy or EKG, can further enhance salary prospects. For those considering pathways to increase their earnings, focusing on specialty certifications or exploring shifts in urgent care settings can be effective strategies in this competitive market.
More salary data for San Bernardino, 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
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 $46,758 for medical assistantsin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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