Medical Assistant Pay

Folsom vs Los Angeles: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Folsom, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Folsom, CA
$65,490
$31.48/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$50,134
$24.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFolsom, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$65,490$50,134
Hourly Rate$31.48$24.10
Entry Level (P10)$49,732$41,106
25th Percentile$53,396$48,108
75th Percentile$69,867$62,573
Top Earner (P90)$83,487$77,615
Total Employed1739,770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Folsom ($65,490) and Los Angeles ($50,134) medical assistant salaries.FolsomLos AngelesMedian Salary$65,490$50,134Entry Level (P10)$49,732$41,106Top Earner (P90)$83,487$77,615US Median $47,961

Verdict

Folsom, CA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Folsom and Los Angeles is $15,356 (30.63%). Folsom's median is +36.55% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Folsom spans $33,755,Los Angeles spans $36,509. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Folsom
P10 (Entry)$49,732
P25$53,396
Median$65,490
P75$69,867
P90 (Top)$83,487
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$41,106
P25$48,108
Median$50,134
P75$62,573
P90 (Top)$77,615

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Folsom ($57,905 effective) pays 31.17% more than Los Angeles ($44,145 effective).

Folsom
Nominal: $65,490
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,905
Los Angeles
Nominal: $50,134
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $44,145

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Folsom if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,490/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,487)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,905)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (39,770 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Folsom grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.7% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Folsom, CA

+6.4%

$58,617 (2024) → $62,389 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+31.7%

$36,260 (2019) → $47,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Folsom or Los Angeles?

Folsom has a higher median medical assistant salary at $65,490/year, compared to Los Angeles at $50,134/year — a difference of $15,356 (30.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Folsom and Los Angeles?

Folsom medical assistants earn $31.48/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $24.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Folsom to Los Angeles as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Folsom and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Folsom = $57,905, Los Angeles = $44,145), job availability (17 vs 39,770 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Folsom vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $49,732 in Folsom and $41,106 in Los Angeles. The Folsom area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov