Medical Assistant Pay

Gilroy vs San Francisco: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Gilroy, CA
$51,897
$24.95/hr
San Francisco, CA
$62,762
$30.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGilroy, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$51,897$62,762
Hourly Rate$24.95$30.18
Entry Level (P10)$39,935$49,409
25th Percentile$42,547$52,611
75th Percentile$54,464$81,100
Top Earner (P90)$69,846$83,714
Total Employed1014,320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gilroy ($51,897) and San Francisco ($62,762) medical assistant salaries.GilroySan FranciscoMedian Salary$51,897$62,762Entry Level (P10)$39,935$49,409Top Earner (P90)$69,846$83,714US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Gilroy and San Francisco is $10,865 (20.94%). San Francisco's median is +30.86% 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,San Francisco spans $34,305. San Francisco 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
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$49,409
P25$52,611
Median$62,762
P75$81,100
P90 (Top)$83,714

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($54,286 effective) pays 18.31% more than Gilroy ($45,886 effective).

Gilroy
Nominal: $51,897
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $45,886
San Francisco
Nominal: $62,762
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $54,286

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 San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,762/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,714)
  • Larger job market (14,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,286)
  • 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 23.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Gilroy, CA

+-16.0%

$58,836 (2024) → $49,440 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+23.6%

$48,370 (2019) → $59,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Gilroy or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median medical assistant salary at $62,762/year, compared to Gilroy at $51,897/year — a difference of $10,865 (20.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gilroy and San Francisco?

Gilroy medical assistants earn $24.95/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $30.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gilroy to San Francisco as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gilroy and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gilroy = $45,886, San Francisco = $54,286), job availability (10 vs 14,320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,935 in Gilroy and $49,409 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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