How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make in California in 2026?

A typical Physician Assistant in California earns about $79.64 per hour ($165,650 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $13,804 a month, or about $3,186 a week, based on the annual figure. The figure applies to Physician Assistants working across hospitals, clinics, and physician offices statewide.

That pay sits 22% above the national figure of $135,880 a year for the same role, according to the same May 2025 data. California ranks 2nd among all 51 states and territories for Physician Assistant pay. The state employs about 13,600 Physician Assistants, compared with 162,150 nationwide, giving a sense of scale for the profession here.

Entry-level positions in California typically offer around $47.78 an hour, or about $99,380 a year, for Physician Assistants just starting out. Pay typically climbs toward the statewide figure of $165,650 within the first several years on the job. Newer hires often start in primary care or outpatient settings before moving into higher-paying specialties.

Experienced Physician Assistants in California often earn upwards of $99.52 an hour, or about $206,990 a year, after several years in practice. The top 10% of earners make over $225,190 a year. That leaves a spread of $125,810 between entry-level and top-tier pay, driven mostly by years of experience, practice setting, and which city a Physician Assistant works in.

California Physician Assistant pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical Physician Assistant in California earned $109,370 a year; by 2025, that figure reached $165,650, a gain of $56,280. That amounts to a 51% rise over ten years.

Nationally, Physician Assistant pay rose 38% over the same decade, a smaller rise than California saw. Year-over-year gains were not always even, with larger jumps in some years than others. For someone starting a Physician Assistant career in California now, this history shows pay has moved upward fairly consistently, though past gains don't guarantee future increases.

Pay for Physician Assistants runs highest in Sunnyvale, where the typical Physician Assistant earns $223,640 a year ($107.52 an hour), about 35% above the statewide figure. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits. San Jose and Santa Clara, part of the same metro area, post identical figures. Bakersfield follows at $198,070 a year, ahead of Oakland and San Francisco at $184,380.

Pay runs lowest in Redding, where Physician Assistants typically earn $150,010 a year, a spread of $73,630 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying cities. Long Beach, part of the Los Angeles metro area, has the largest Physician Assistant workforce in the state at 3,890 workers, with typical pay of $161,890 a year. Much of the difference between cities tracks the local cost of living, with higher pay concentrated in expensive coastal metro areas.

Among neighboring states, California pays Physician Assistants more than all three of its neighbors. Nevada and Arizona both pay about 19% less, with typical annual pay near $134,660 and $134,650. Oregon comes closer, paying about 6% less at $155,780 a year. Physician Assistant licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which is worth knowing for anyone considering a move.

Physician Assistants in California typically earn $165,650 a year as of the latest government wage data (May 2025), up 51% over the past decade. Pay varies by experience, city, and practice setting, from entry-level positions near $99,380 to top earners above $225,190. Anyone considering the field should check California's licensing or registry page for current requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to practice.