Medical Assistant salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$61,940/year
about $29.78 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $51,390 – $78,120
Half of medical assistants in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $61,940 a year and half earn less. That's 36% higher than the national median of $45,690, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $49,370 | $23.74 |
| 25th | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| Median (50th) | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| 75th | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| 90th (top earners) | $79,620 | $38.28 |
*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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $51,390 ($24.71/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $51,390 to $78,120 ($24.71 to $37.56/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $78,120 ($37.56/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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro. Occupation: Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.