Medical Assistant Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $68,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $68,042/year (≈ $32.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $63,128 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 31.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, CA, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants is $68,042 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this profession spans from $49,094 at the 10th percentile to $83,861 at the 90th percentile, offering a competitive landscape for those entering the field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and illustrates a robust job market influenced by the ongoing demand for healthcare services. Medical assistants in Santa Rosa benefit from a comprehensive skill set that can serve as a bridge to higher-paying roles, such as LPN or RN positions, creating long-term career growth opportunities within the local healthcare ecosystem.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,094 | $23.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,577 | $25.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,042 | $32.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,572 | $39.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,861 | $40.32 |
Median Salary Position
41.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,767 (2026 est.). At $68,042, the local median is 41.87% above the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be above the median
How Santa Rosa Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $68,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,861 | +31.20% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +41.87% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,042 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,128 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,450
2025 BLS Actual
$64,820
2026 Current Est.
$68,042
2019–2027 Growth
+60.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,423 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 45.8% from $44,450 (2019) to $64,820 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,423 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,973 (60.68%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,094 – $53,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,577 – $68,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,042 – $81,572 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,572 – $83,861 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Santa Rosa
The medical assistant job market in Santa Rosa is vibrant, with around 1,550 individuals employed in this capacity. The cost of living index in Santa Rosa stands at 107.784, indicating that while salaries are attractive, the purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses compared to the national average. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, which typically offer premiums for expertise and certification, including bilingual capabilities in languages such as Spanish or Mandarin. Strategies for maximizing medical assistant pay in Santa Rosa include pursuing specialized certifications, seeking roles in higher-paying practices, and obtaining experience in urgent care settings, where shifts may also provide additional premiums. Understanding the local dynamics can help aspiring medical assistants make informed decisions about their career development and financial expectations.
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
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 $64,820 for medical assistantsin the Santa Rosa 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