Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $165,650 | $140,258 | +18% |
| Median hourly wage | $79.64 | $67.43 | +18% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $149,639.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Physician Assistant in California is $165,650, or about $79.64 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Physician Assistants is $140,258. California is +18% above the national median.
Entry-level physician assistants in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 13,600 physician assistant jobs on record and a median salary of $165,650, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.