Medical Assistant Salary in Modesto, CA
Medical Assistants in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $49,990 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,648 take-home, or $3,387 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median medical assistant salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,819
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,099
- Medicare (1.45%)$725
- California income tax$1,049
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$650
- Take-home pay$40,648
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Medical Assistant pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,830 | $18.67 | $32,333 | $2,694 |
| 25th percentile | $46,310 | $22.26 | $37,946 | $3,162 |
| Median (50th) | $49,990 | $24.03 | $40,648 | $3,387 |
| 75th percentile | $66,800 | $32.12 | $52,824 | $4,402 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,080 | $37.54 | $59,710 | $4,976 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,990 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median medical assistant's $40,648 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,044 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Modesto, CA has 1.8× the national concentration of medical assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for medical assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #62 of 246 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vallejo, CA | $77,410 | $59,301 | $54,666 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa, CA | $64,820 | $51,447 | $47,731 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $57,410 | $48,309 | $46,750 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $61,500 | $51,595 | $46,427 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $61,970 | $49,400 | $46,311 |
| 6 | Olympia, WA | $55,700 | $46,935 | $45,273 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $61,940 | $49,378 | $44,717 |
| 8 | Rochester, MN | $49,830 | $40,353 | $44,432 |
| 62 | Modesto, CA | $49,990 | $40,648 | $39,044 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 246 metros →
Medical Assistant salaries elsewhere in California
- Vallejo, CA — $77,410
- Santa Rosa, CA — $64,820
- Sacramento, CA — $61,970
- San Jose, CA — $61,940
- San Francisco, CA — $59,790
- Hanford, CA — $49,510
- Visalia, CA — $47,140
- Chico, CA — $47,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Modesto, CA?
The median medical assistant salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $49,990 a year, or about $24.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,310 and $66,800.
What is a medical assistant’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $49,990 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $40,648 a year ($3,387 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,699 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $45,690. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,044 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #62 of 246 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a medical assistant afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median medical assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Dental Assistant — $50,170
- Nursing Assistant — $46,550
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320