verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Physician Assistant Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$165,650/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$79.64/hr
▲ 22% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
13,600
public U.S. Median
$135,880
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$149,612 #10 of 51

Physician Assistant pay in California, explained

Physician assistants in California earn a median of $165,650 per year ($79.64 per hour), which is 22% above the national median of $135,880. Entry-level workers earn around $99,380, while the most experienced physician assistants reach about $225,190. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $165,650 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $165,650 is worth about $149,612 in national buying power — ranking California #10 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Physician Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Physician Assistant pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$99,380
$47.78/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$165,650
$79.64/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$225,190
$108.26/hr

Physician Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $165,650 $149,612
Oregon $155,780 $150,714 +$9,870
Nevada $134,660 $134,688 +$30,990
Arizona $134,650 $133,745 +$31,000

Physician Assistant in California: FAQ

How much do physician assistants make in California?

Physician assistants in California earn a median of $165,650 per year ($79.64 per hour), compared with $135,880 nationally.

Does California pay physician assistants well?

At $165,650, California pays 22% above the national median for physician assistants. An estimated 13,600 work in the state.

Physician Assistant salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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