Salary distribution
Where San Francisco medical assistants fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $49,070 and $75,330, with a median of $59,910.
Typical entry
Education
Postsecondary nondegree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Administrative
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- 02
Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- 03
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- 04
Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
- 05
Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- 06
Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
- 07
Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- 08
Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for medical assistants.
- Sacramento$62,570
- San Jose$62,290
- San Diego$47,780
- Los Angeles$46,000
- Riverside$42,720
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Medical Assistants in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Medical Assistants in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $59,910.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Medical Assistants?
- The San Francisco metro median is +24.7% versus the California state median of $48,050.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Medical Assistants?
- The San Francisco metro median is +38.2% versus the BLS national figure of $43,347.
- What is the salary range for Medical Assistants in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $46,810 and the 90th-percentile at $77,990 for the San Francisco metro area.
- What education is required for Medical Assistants?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Postsecondary nondegree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.