Medical Assistant salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$59,790/year
about $28.75 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $50,120 – $77,260
Half of medical assistants in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $59,790 a year and half earn less. That's 31% higher than the national median of $45,690, and ranks #4 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| 25th | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Median (50th) | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| 75th | $77,260 | $37.14 |
| 90th (top earners) | $79,750 | $38.34 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a medical assistant job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $50,120 ($24.10/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $50,120 to $77,260 ($24.10 to $37.14/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $77,260 ($37.14/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Certification (such as CMA or RMA) can raise pay and open more roles, and some employers pay for it.
- Check whether the role is front office, back office or both, since mixed roles are often paid like single ones.
- Ask about guaranteed hours: some clinics cut hours on slow days.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.