Medical Assistants Salary in California
Medical Assistants in California earn a median annual wage of $49,660 —8.7% above the national median of $45,690. That ranks CA #6 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.22× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $59,290 | $28.50 | 19,500 | 1.04 |
| 2 | Alaska | $52,560 | $25.27 | 2,140 | 1.25 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $51,050 | $24.54 | 2,260 | 0.61 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $50,480 | $24.27 | 10,580 | 0.68 |
| 5 | Oregon | $50,410 | $24.24 | 11,840 | 1.14 |
| 6 | California | $49,660 | $23.88 | 117,060 | 1.22 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $49,460 | $23.78 | 14,880 | 0.78 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $48,680 | $23.41 | 13,810 | 0.89 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $48,410 | $23.28 | 3,890 | 1.18 |
| 10 | Colorado | $48,400 | $23.27 | 13,160 | 0.87 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $35,800 |
| Nursing Assistants | $47,630 | $42,260 |
| Dental Assistants | $50,110 | $48,070 |
| Phlebotomists | $56,040 | $45,230 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $38,150 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 | $68,380 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical assistants make in California?
The median annual wage for medical assistants in California is $49,660, or $23.88 per hour. That is 8.7% above the national median of $45,690.
What is the entry-level medical assistants salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $39,290 per year ($18.89/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,240.
How many people work as medical assistants in California?
About 117,060 people work in this occupation in California, or 6.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for medical assistants?
California ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.22x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays medical assistants the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $59,290 per year, followed by Alaska ($52,560) and District of Columbia ($51,050).