Medical Assistant salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A medical assistant in California earns a median of $49,660 a year ($23.88/hour equivalent), 8.7% above the national median of $45,690. California ranks #6 of 51 states. About 117,060 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $40,417 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,555 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,910.00
- Federal income tax
- −$145.35
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$118.42
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$27.70
- California income tax
- −$39.20
- CA SDI
- −$24.83
- Take-home pay
- $1,554.50
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $49,660
- Federal
- $3,779
- FICA
- $3,799
- State + local
- $1,665
- Net
- $40,417
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 6.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $59,290 |
| #2 | Alaska | $52,560 |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| #4 | Minnesota | $50,480 |
| #5 | Oregon | $50,410 |
| #6 | California | $49,660 |
| #49 | Louisiana | $36,320 |
| #50 | Alabama | $36,100 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $35,360 |
See the national medical assistant salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in California?
The median salary is $49,660 a year and the average is $55,100 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for medical assistants?
California ranks #6 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 9% above the national median of $45,690.
What is $49,660 after taxes in California?
About $40,417 a year ($1,555 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.