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Medical Assistant Salary in San Jose, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$72,446/ year

Median Medical Assistant in San Jose, CA

$45,248
10th
$55,180
25th
$72,446
Median
$92,560
75th
$112,923
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$72,446
Total compensation (est.)
$83,313
Bonus range
$1,550 – $6,240
Mean salary
$76,793

How This Compares

San Jose, CA median
$72,446
California median
$41,514+74.5%
National median
$40,700+78.0%

Cost of living in San Jose is 78% above the national average. Salary of $72,446 here is equivalent to $40,700 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$52,161-28.0%
3-5 years
$65,926-9.0%
6-10 years
$81,140+12.0%
10+ years
$99,975+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$63,752-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$72,446
Enterprise (5,000+)
$85,486+18.0%

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Medical Assistant Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$61,457/yr
San Diego, CA$58,608/yr
San Francisco, CA$75,295/yr
Fresno, CA$40,700/yr
Sacramento, CA$40,700/yr

Related Jobs in San Jose

Registered Nurse$144,572/yr
Nurse Practitioner$221,930/yr
Physician Assistant$224,298/yr
Physical Therapist$173,942/yr
Occupational Therapist$165,860/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$35/hr
Monthly gross$6,037/mo
25th percentile$55,180/yr
75th percentile$92,560/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Medical Assistant Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Medical Assistant salary in San Jose?

The median Medical Assistant salary in San Jose is $72,446 per year, with a range from $55,180 at the 25th percentile to $92,560 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Medical Assistant pay in San Jose compare to the national average?

Medical Assistant salaries in San Jose are 78% above the national median of $40,700. After adjusting for San Jose's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $40,700 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Medical Assistant salaries in San Jose?

In San Jose, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Medical Assistant roles start around $45,248, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $112,923 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Jose a good place for Medical Assistant jobs?

San Jose offers a Medical Assistant median of $72,446, which is 78% above the US median of $40,700. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Jose is 78% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Medical Assistant salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Medical Assistant in San Jose is $92,560, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.