Sacramento vs Santa Clara: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)
Compare physician assistant salaries between Sacramento, CA and Santa Clara, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $166,831 | $234,937▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $80.21 | $112.95▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,845 | $166,263▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $129,357 | $212,044▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $188,022 | $281,731▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $232,883 | $326,047▲ |
| Total Employed | 1,070▲ | 32 |
Verdict
Santa Clara, CA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sacramento.
The salary gap between Sacramento and Santa Clara is $68,106 (40.82%). Santa Clara's median is +67.34% compared to the US national median of $140,391.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $158,038,Santa Clara spans $159,784. Santa Clara has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Clara ($207,725 effective) pays 32.82% more than Sacramento ($156,399 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Sacramento if…
- ✓Larger job market (1,070 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Clara if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($234,937/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($326,047)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $207,725)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Sacramento grew 31.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.3% growth in Santa Clara over the same period.
Sacramento, CA
$122,810 (2019) → $161,470 (2025)
Santa Clara, CA
$180,026 (2024) → $227,388 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Sacramento, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays physician assistants more: Sacramento or Santa Clara?
What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Santa Clara?
Should I relocate from Sacramento to Santa Clara as a physician assistant?
What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Sacramento vs Santa Clara?
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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.
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