Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A medical secretary and administrative assistant in California earns a median of $54,490 a year ($26.20/hour equivalent), 18.6% above the national median of $45,930. California ranks #2 of 51 states. About 115,050 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $43,945 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,690 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,095.77
- Federal income tax
- −$167.65
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$129.94
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$30.39
- California income tax
- −$50.34
- CA SDI
- −$27.25
- Take-home pay
- $1,690.21
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $54,490
- Federal
- $4,359
- FICA
- $4,168
- State + local
- $2,017
- Net
- $43,945
- 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 | $58,100 |
| #2 | California | $54,490 |
| #3 | Massachusetts | $50,290 |
| #4 | Oregon | $50,130 |
| #5 | Minnesota | $50,030 |
| #49 | Alabama | $36,930 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $36,930 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $36,290 |
See the national medical secretary and administrative assistant salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6013), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical secretary and administrative assistant make in California?
The median salary is $54,490 a year and the average is $56,350 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for medical secretaries and administrative assistants?
California ranks #2 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 19% above the national median of $45,930.
What is $54,490 after taxes in California?
About $43,945 a year ($1,690 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.