Medical Assistant Salary in San Jose, CA: $65,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in San Jose, CA earns a median $65,018/year (≈ $31.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $58,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated medical assistant salary in San Jose, CA, is projected at $65,018 annually, reflecting a significant 35.56% increase over the national median of $47,961. This range of compensation for medical assistants spans from $51,824 at the lower end to $83,577 at the higher end, according to official BLS OEWS surveys. The attractiveness of pursuing a medical assistant role in this region is amplified by notable opportunities for career advancement, especially for those interested in the bridge pathway to LPN or RN licensure. Investing in skill enhancements and specialization can lead to substantial long-term financial rewards as San Jose continues to expand its healthcare infrastructure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,824 | $24.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,944 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,018 | $31.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,003 | $39.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,577 | $40.18 |
Median Salary Position
35.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,753 (2026 est.). At $65,018, the local median is 35.56% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Jose Medical Assistant Pay Compares
San Jose median: $65,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,890 | +25.30% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +35.56% more |
Medical Assistants in San Jose, CA earn a median of $65,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.56% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 25.30% above the California state average of $51,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,018 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,881 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,660
2025 BLS Actual
$61,940
2026 Current Est.
$65,018
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 35.7% from $45,660 (2019) to $61,940 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,590 (49.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $51,824 – $53,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,944 – $65,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,018 – $82,003 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,003 – $83,577 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in San Jose
With approximately 6,400 medical assistants employed in San Jose, the job market remains robust and supportive of this career path. However, the cost of living in the area is notably high, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 110.423, which ultimately affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers who generally offer the highest compensation in this region include specialty practices, urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress, as well as hospital outpatient clinics. Various factors contribute to the pay disparity, including the type of practice, certification levels, and even language proficiency, particularly in Spanish or Mandarin, which can command a bilingual premium. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, medical assistants should pursue additional certifications, gain experience in specialty care, and consider roles in settings that require advanced skills, ultimately enhancing their financial growth potential.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $61,940 for medical assistantsin the San Jose 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