Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $32.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $32.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,042 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.8, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,820 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, medical assistants earn a median hourly rate of $32.71, significantly higher than the national median of $23.06 per hour. This robust hourly pay reflects the demand for skilled professionals in various healthcare settings such as primary care offices, urgent care facilities, specialty clinics, and hospital outpatient centers. For those seeking flexible work arrangements, part-time opportunities are common, allowing MAs to work around 24 hours a week while reaping the benefits of this competitive pay structure. The hourly range for medical assistants in Santa Rosa varies widely, from $23.61 at the entry-level to $40.32 for the top earners, as reported in the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.61 | $188.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.76 | $206.08 |
| Median (P50) | $32.71 | $261.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.22 | $313.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.32 | $322.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $32.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.71/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $68,034 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,250. With a cost-of-living index of 107.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,308.35 | $5,669 | $68,034 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $785.01 | $3,402 | $40,820 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $523.34 | $2,268 | $27,214 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Santa Rosa) | $32.71 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $68,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.87% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 31.20% above the California state average of $51,861.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.71/hr = $40,820/year (purchasing power: $37,872).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,034/year (purchasing power: $63,121).
CoL index: 107.784 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Santa Rosa grew 45.8% from $21.37/hr (2019) to $31.16/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Santa Rosa
Looking deeper into the earning potential for medical assistants, those working part-time in Santa Rosa can expect to take home notably less than full-time counterparts over the course of a year. A medical assistant working three days a week at the median hourly rate will still earn a respectable amount, although per-diem opportunities offer a wider range of pay, typically billing at $20 to $30 per hour. In specialty practices, pay can rise to as high as $38 per hour, particularly in dermatological or surgical settings. Urgent care facilities also provide competitive salaries, with some shifts offering stipends that can add $50 to $150 on top of the base pay. Different types of employers, from primary care practices to corporate occupational health clinics, drive variations in pay. For many, the decision to accept a lower hourly rate for positions with additional benefits like health insurance can be a strategic move. To navigate these negotiations effectively, medical assistants should be equipped with knowledge about industry standards and the compensation structures prevalent in Santa Rosa.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Santa Rosa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov