Medical Assistant Pay

Roseville vs San Francisco: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Roseville, CA
$64,782
$31.14/hr
San Francisco, CA
$62,762
$30.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoseville, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$64,782$62,762
Hourly Rate$31.14$30.18
Entry Level (P10)$52,400$49,409
25th Percentile$55,310$52,611
75th Percentile$68,989$81,100
Top Earner (P90)$86,816$83,714
Total Employed3514,320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roseville ($64,782) and San Francisco ($62,762) medical assistant salaries.RosevilleSan FranciscoMedian Salary$64,782$62,762Entry Level (P10)$52,400$49,409Top Earner (P90)$86,816$83,714US Median $47,961

Verdict

Roseville, CA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between Roseville and San Francisco is $2,020 (3.22%). Roseville's median is +35.07% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roseville spans $34,416,San Francisco spans $34,305. Roseville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roseville
P10 (Entry)$52,400
P25$55,310
Median$64,782
P75$68,989
P90 (Top)$86,816
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, Roseville ($57,279 effective) pays 5.51% more than San Francisco ($54,286 effective).

Roseville
Nominal: $64,782
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,279
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 Roseville if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,782/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,816)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,279)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Larger job market (14,320 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Roseville grew 4.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Roseville, CA

+4.3%

$59,155 (2024) → $61,715 (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: Roseville or San Francisco?

Roseville has a higher median medical assistant salary at $64,782/year, compared to San Francisco at $62,762/year — a difference of $2,020 (3.22%).

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

Roseville medical assistants earn $31.14/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $30.18/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roseville and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roseville = $57,279, San Francisco = $54,286), job availability (35 vs 14,320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $52,400 in Roseville and $49,409 in San Francisco. The Roseville 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