Medical Assistant salary in Salinas, CA
Medical Assistants in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $48,890 a year ($23.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,550 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 2% lower than the California statewide median of $49,660. There are 5.8 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| 25th percentile | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| Median | $48,890 | $23.50 |
| 75th percentile | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Average (mean) | $50,170 | $24.12 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,074.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,037.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,880.38 |
| Weekly | $940.19 |
| Hourly | $23.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $77,410 | 1,360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $64,820 | 1,550 |
| Napa, CA | $62,050 | 320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,970 | 7,410 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,940 | 6,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $59,790 | 14,320 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $50,680 | 2,020 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $50,090 | 960 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,990 | 1,870 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $49,520 | 850 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $49,510 | 480 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $49,500 | 1,660 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,420 | 9,370 |
| Yuba City, CA | $49,410 | 430 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,840 | 1,740 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,760 | 39,770 |
| Chico, CA | $47,150 | 770 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,140 | 1,580 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $46,700 | 11,280 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,560 | 2,340 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,500 | 3,310 |
| Redding, CA | $46,210 | 520 |
| El Centro, CA | $45,290 | 390 |
| Merced, CA | $39,800 | 700 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $56,790 | $27.30 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Phlebotomist | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $84,850 | $40.80 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,810 | $18.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Salinas, CA?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Salinas, CA metro area is $48,890 a year, or $23.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $59,550 a year. The top 25% earn $56,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,730 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $44,960 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Salinas, CA?
About 1,080 medical assistants are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.