Physician assistants in California earn an average of $169,110 per year, with a median of $165,650. The median is the more practical figure for most hiring decisions because it is less affected by a small number of very high earners at the top of the market. Use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling.
Physician assistant salary in California (2026)
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The average physician assistant salary in California is $169,110 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $165,650 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. California employs 13,600 physician assistants, and the $3,460 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior physician assistants in California typically earn around $99,380, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $225,190 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a physician assistant hire in California, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $165,650 |
Average Annual Salary | $169,110 |
vs. National Average | 19.7% above the national mean of $141,280 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 13,600 employed physician assistants across California.
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Physician assistant salary percentiles in California
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $99,380 |
25th Percentile | $136,730 |
75th Percentile | $206,990 |
90th Percentile | $225,190 |
Employers setting an offer for a physician assistant in California should expect a wide range depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates typically fall near $99,380, while experienced specialists commonly reach $225,190 or beyond, giving you a spread of over $125,000 to work with when structuring compensation.
Physician assistant salary by city in California
City | Average Annual Salary |
San Jose | $207,660 |
San Francisco | $182,610 |
San Diego | $165,450 |
Los Angeles | $163,340 |
Sacramento | $155,340 |
Location should factor meaningfully into your compensation budget when hiring a physician assistant in California. San Jose commands the highest average at $207,660, while Sacramento sits at $155,340, a difference of more than $52,000 that reflects distinct local labor market conditions. If you are hiring across multiple California markets, you will need separate pay bands rather than a single statewide figure.
How California compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
California | $169,110 | $165,650 |
Washington | $164,430 | $164,360 |
New York | $155,150 | $160,880 |
Colorado | $139,580 | $134,540 |
Texas | $135,850 | $134,550 |
Nevada | $135,790 | $134,660 |
Employers hiring physician assistants in California should expect compensation expectations to run higher than in most comparable states. California's mean of $169,110 leads the comparison group, sitting above Washington at $164,430 and well above Texas at $135,850. Candidates relocating from lower-wage states may still anchor to California norms quickly, so budget accordingly from the start.
Frequently asked questions about physician assistant salary in California
How much money do PAs make in California?
What do the top-earning physician assistants make in California?
Physician assistants at the 90th percentile in California earn $225,190 per year. Senior specialists in high-demand markets like San Jose, where the average reaches $207,660, are most likely to approach or exceed that threshold. When competing for top-tier talent in California, plan for offers well above the statewide median.
What is the salary range for a physician assistant in California?
The salary range for a physician assistant in California runs from $99,380 at the 10th percentile to $225,190 at the 90th percentile. That spread of more than $125,000 reflects differences in experience, specialization, and geography across the state. Use the 25th percentile of $136,730 and the 75th percentile of $206,990 to frame a realistic mid-market range for most hires.
What is the average physician assistant salary in California?
The average physician assistant salary in California is $169,110 per year, which sits 19.7% above the national mean of $141,280. That premium reflects both the cost of living in major California markets and strong demand for physician assistants across the state's healthcare sector. Budget above the national benchmark when recruiting in California to remain competitive with local market rates.
Physician Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1071 (Physician Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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