PA Salary

La Habra vs Los Angeles: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between La Habra, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Habra, CA
$164,402
$79.04/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$167,265
$80.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Habra, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$164,402$167,265
Hourly Rate$79.04$80.41
Entry Level (P10)$120,777$102,876
25th Percentile$145,297$139,017
75th Percentile$200,570$211,775
Top Earner (P90)$231,996$227,903
Total Employed163,890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Habra ($164,402) and Los Angeles ($167,265) physician assistant salaries.La HabraLos AngelesMedian Salary$164,402$167,265Entry Level (P10)$120,777$102,876Top Earner (P90)$231,996$227,903US Median $140,391

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Habra.

The salary gap between La Habra and Los Angeles is $2,863 (1.74%). Los Angeles's median is +19.14% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Habra spans $111,219,Los Angeles spans $125,027. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

La Habra
P10 (Entry)$120,777
P25$145,297
Median$164,402
P75$200,570
P90 (Top)$231,996
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$102,876
P25$139,017
Median$167,265
P75$211,775
P90 (Top)$227,903

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($147,284 effective) pays 1.32% more than La Habra ($145,360 effective).

La Habra
Nominal: $164,402
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $145,360
Los Angeles
Nominal: $167,265
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $147,284

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Habra if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($231,996)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($167,265/year)
  • Larger job market (3,890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,284)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in La Habra grew -6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

La Habra, CA

+-6.0%

$169,283 (2024) → $159,119 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+30.9%

$123,630 (2019) → $161,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: La Habra or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median physician assistant salary at $167,265/year, compared to La Habra at $164,402/year — a difference of $2,863 (1.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Habra and Los Angeles?

La Habra physician assistants earn $79.04/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $80.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Habra to Los Angeles as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Habra and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Habra = $145,360, Los Angeles = $147,284), job availability (16 vs 3,890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in La Habra vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $120,777 in La Habra and $102,876 in Los Angeles. The La Habra area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov