Medical Assistant Pay

Gilroy vs Sacramento: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Gilroy, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gilroy, CA
$51,897
$24.95/hr
Sacramento, CA
$65,050
$31.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGilroy, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$51,897$65,050
Hourly Rate$24.95$31.27
Entry Level (P10)$39,935$47,583
25th Percentile$42,547$51,089
75th Percentile$54,464$80,858
Top Earner (P90)$69,846$81,971
Total Employed107,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gilroy ($51,897) and Sacramento ($65,050) medical assistant salaries.GilroySacramentoMedian Salary$51,897$65,050Entry Level (P10)$39,935$47,583Top Earner (P90)$69,846$81,971US Median $47,961

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gilroy.

The salary gap between Gilroy and Sacramento is $13,153 (25.34%). Sacramento's median is +35.63% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gilroy spans $29,911,Sacramento spans $34,388. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Gilroy
P10 (Entry)$39,935
P25$42,547
Median$51,897
P75$54,464
P90 (Top)$69,846
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$47,583
P25$51,089
Median$65,050
P75$80,858
P90 (Top)$81,971

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($60,982 effective) pays 32.90% more than Gilroy ($45,886 effective).

Gilroy
Nominal: $51,897
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $45,886
Sacramento
Nominal: $65,050
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $60,982

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gilroy if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,050/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,971)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,982)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Gilroy grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 55.5% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Gilroy, CA

+-16.0%

$58,836 (2024) → $49,440 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+55.5%

$39,850 (2019) → $61,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Gilroy or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median medical assistant salary at $65,050/year, compared to Gilroy at $51,897/year — a difference of $13,153 (25.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gilroy and Sacramento?

Gilroy medical assistants earn $24.95/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $31.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gilroy to Sacramento as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gilroy and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gilroy = $45,886, Sacramento = $60,982), job availability (10 vs 7,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Gilroy vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,935 in Gilroy and $47,583 in Sacramento. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

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