Medical Assistant Salary in California (2026)
Heart2Hire · Career Guide
Medical Assistants (MAs) are among the most in-demand allied health professionals in California. Pay varies with region, specialty, certification, and years of experience.
Typical pay ranges
- Entry level: competitive hourly rates, often with overtime and shift differentials in hospital and urgent-care settings.
- Experienced / certified (CMA, RMA): a meaningful premium over non-certified roles.
- Specialty MAs (Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics) frequently command higher rates due to the added clinical skills required.
What moves your pay the most
- Certification. A CMA or RMA credential is the fastest lever.
- Specialty experience. EMR fluency (Epic, Cerner) plus a high-demand specialty raises your market value.
- Location. Coastal and metro markets typically pay more than inland areas.
Browse current Medical Assistant openings to see live pay ranges near you.