Medical Assistants Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $47,780 +8.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.97
10th percentile $38,790
90th percentile $63,680
Employed locally 8,590
National median $44,200

Compare Medical Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Medical Assistants
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,790
    25th
    $44,860
    50th (median)
    $47,780
    75th
    $57,730
    90th
    $63,680

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Medical Assistants salary vs area income 47% Median Medical Assistants salary is 53% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Medical Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Vallejo, CA $75,180
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,900
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,570
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,290
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,850

    Nearby metros — Medical Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Vallejo, CA $75,180
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,900
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,570
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,290
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,910
    Napa, CA $58,270

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,050
    Nursing Assistants $46,600
    Dental Assistants $46,420
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $44,830
    Massage Therapists $41,600
    Phlebotomists $53,570

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Medical Assistants make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Medical Assistants in San Diego, CA is $22.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.89 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Medical Assistants salaries?

    The median Medical Assistants salary in San Diego, CA is 8.1% above the national median of $44,200. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Medical Assistants in San Diego?

    Entry-level Medical Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $38,790 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,860.