California ranks 2nd of 51 states and D.C. for physician assistants pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($163,020) by $1,940 — a 1% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $94,870 to $219,300 — a $124,430 spread, 43% wider than the national $86,960 range.
Physician Assistants are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.75 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.33× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $94,870 | $45.61 |
| 25th percentile | $130,020 | $62.51 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $161,080 | $77.44 |
| 75th percentile | $197,600 | $95.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $219,300 | $105.43 |
| Mean (average) | $161,980 | $77.88 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $161,080 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $163,020 | +1% |
| Washington | $156,990 | -3% |
| New York | $152,650 | -5% |
| Oregon | $149,130 | -7% |
| Rhode Island | $141,600 | -12% |
| New Jersey | $140,490 | -13% |
| New Mexico | $139,990 | -13% |
| Minnesota | $139,300 | -14% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $162,740 | 12,980 |
| Database Architects | $159,130 | 5,850 |
| Veterinarians | $158,950 | 8,510 |
| Pharmacists | $165,150 | 34,490 |
| Public Relations Managers | $156,340 | 9,140 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $166,610 | 20,980 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physician Assistants salary in California?
The mean physician assistants salary in California is $161,980 per year. The median (middle) salary is $161,080 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Physician Assistants in California?
Entry-level physician assistantss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $94,870 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $130,020 per year.
What is the highest Physician Assistants salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $219,300 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $197,600 per year.
How does the California Physician Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median physician assistants salary in California is $161,080, which is +21% above national average of $133,260.