Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Oakland, CA: $93.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Oakland, CA runs $93.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $194,837 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Oakland's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $82.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $116,900 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakland, California, physician assistants can expect an hourly rate of $93.67, significantly exceeding the national median of $67.50. This competitive pay reflects the high demand for PAs in various healthcare settings, including operating rooms, hospital floors, emergency departments, ambulatory clinics, urgent care centers, and procedure suites. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, or on a per-diem basis, this rate can provide a substantial income. The hourly wage for physician assistants in Oakland ranges from $65.26 at the entry level to an impressive $138.59 for top earners, making it clear that both new graduates and seasoned professionals can find opportunities tailored to their financial goals.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65.26 | $522.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80.50 | $643.97 |
| Median (P50) | $93.67 | $749.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116.76 | $934.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138.59 | $1108.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oakland
Based on $93.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $93.67/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oakland, CA can expect to earn approximately $194,833 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $112,404. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oakland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oakland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,746.80 | $16,236 | $194,833 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,248.08 | $9,742 | $116,900 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,498.72 | $6,494 | $77,933 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Oakland) | $93.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Oakland, CA earn a median of $194,837 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.78% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 14.40% above the California state average of $170,312.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $93.67/hr = $116,900/year (purchasing power: $103,360).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $194,833/year (purchasing power: $172,267).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$74.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$90.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$93.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $76.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $81.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $84.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $86.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $90.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $90.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Oakland grew 21.0% from $74.90/hr (2019) to $90.66/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $96.78/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Oakland
For physician assistants considering part-time positions, specifically those working 24 hours a week, they can expect to earn a salary that reflects their hourly contribution without committing to the greater demands of full-time roles. Meanwhile, locum PAs have varied experiences in the field; while they might charge anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour depending on their specialty, orthopedic surgical PAs can command as much as $1,200 to $1,800 per day for operating room coverage. This selection of environments can influence hourly pay significantly, with hospitals typically providing W-2 employment while specialty practices, urgent care facilities, and 1099 agencies often offer more flexible arrangements with different compensation rates. When weighing options, physician assistants must consider the benefits of health insurance typically offered by traditional employers versus the higher rates and potential instability found in freelance or locum opportunities. Negotiating pay effectively is crucial in Oakland's competitive job market, so being well-informed about specific rates and benefits can empower PAs to advocate for a compensation package that aligns with their professional and personal needs.
More salary data for Oakland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Oakland in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Oakland?
Are physician assistants in Oakland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Oakland?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Oakland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Oakland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oakland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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