Medical Assistants Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a medical assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $47,780/year ($22.97/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $42,703 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 91% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $48K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About medical assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level medical assistants (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K.Top earners bring in $64K or more - a $25K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $55K | +25% | 18,430 |
| Alaska | $52K | +17% | 2,420 |
| Oregon | $50K | +13% | 11,610 |
| District of Columbia | $50K | +13% | 2,530 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +12% | 9,930 |
| Hawaii | $49K | +10% | 3,830 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | +10% | 16,210 |
| California | $48K | +9% | 110,350 |
| New Hampshire | $48K | +9% | 2,990 |
| Wisconsin | $48K | +8% | 12,900 |
| Maine | $47K | +5% | 4,120 |
| Connecticut | $47K | +5% | 9,750 |
| New Jersey | $46K | +5% | 22,530 |
| Nebraska | $46K | +4% | 2,560 |
| New York | $46K | +4% | 39,250 |
Track medical assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do medical assistants make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $47,780 a year - that works out to about $22.97 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,790, and experienced medical assistants can clear $63,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,273/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 91.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a medical assistants salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical assistants salary is worth about $42,703 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.