Medical Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $50,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $50,134/year (≈ $24.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $44,145 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Los Angeles can expect a median salary of $50,134, which reflects a growing demand for this vital healthcare role in California, particularly as professionals consider extending their careers through MA-to-LPN/RN bridge pathways. The salary spectrum ranges from $41,106 at the lower end to $77,615 for those in higher-paying positions. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and indicate a 4.97% annual growth rate, offering promising opportunities for individuals entering or advancing in this field. Compared to the national median of $47,961, medical assistant pay in Los Angeles, CA, is approximately 4.53% higher, demonstrating the city’s more favorable compensation climate amidst a competitive job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,106 | $19.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,108 | $23.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,134 | $24.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,573 | $30.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,615 | $37.32 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,509 (2026 est.). At $50,134, the local median is 4.53% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $50,134/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,898 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +4.53% more |
Medical Assistants in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $50,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 3.40% below the California state average of $51,898.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,134 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,145 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,260
2025 BLS Actual
$47,760
2026 Current Est.
$50,134
2019–2027 Growth
+45.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,625 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.7% from $36,260 (2019) to $47,760 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,625 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,365 (45.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,106 – $48,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,108 – $50,134 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,134 – $62,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,573 – $77,615 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Los Angeles
With nearly 40,000 medical assistants currently employed in Los Angeles, the local job market displays significant strength, despite the cost of living being 13.5% above the national average. This elevated cost can impact take-home pay, making it essential for workers to choose their employers wisely. Those seeking higher compensation should target specialty practices such as dermatology or orthopedics, which typically offer a premium over primary care settings. Key strategies to maximize earnings include obtaining additional certifications, such as phlebotomy or EKG, pursuing bilingual capabilities, and seeking positions at urgent care clinics where shift differentials can significantly enhance income. Understanding these dynamics will be critical for professionals aiming to optimize their medical assistant salary in Los Angeles, as employers place increasing value on skills and experience while navigating the competitive healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,760 for medical assistantsin the Los Angeles metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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