Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $80.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Sacramento, CA runs $80.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,831 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,099 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $80.21 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $67.50 per hour. This rate positions PAs favorably in the local job market, especially for those seeking part-time work or per-diem opportunities in diverse healthcare settings like hospitals, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. For a PA working three days a week for approximately 24 hours, this hourly rate translates to a solid income reflective of the city’s cost of living index, which stands at 106.67. With an hourly pay range spanning from $35.99 for entry-level positions to $111.97 for experienced professionals, there are various earnings potential tiers that reflect both the level of expertise and the specific health sector they choose to work within.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.99 | $287.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.19 | $497.51 |
| Median (P50) | $80.21 | $641.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.39 | $723.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.97 | $895.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $80.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.21/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $166,831 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,249. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,208.29 | $13,903 | $166,831 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,924.98 | $8,342 | $100,099 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,283.32 | $5,561 | $66,732 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Sacramento) | $80.21 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $166,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.83% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.00% below the California state average of $170,236.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.21/hr = $100,099/year (purchasing power: $93,840).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,831/year (purchasing power: $156,399).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $78.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $75.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Sacramento grew 31.5% from $59.04/hr (2019) to $77.63/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.87/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Considering the earnings dynamics for part-time and per-diem physician assistants in Sacramento, those working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home a substantial income annually, though still well below full-time counterparts. For instance, many PAs engaged in locum or per-diem roles, which often offer hourly compensation from $75 to upwards of $130 depending on their specialty, can earn considerably more during high-demand shifts. Surgical PAs in orthopedics, particularly during operating room coverage, may earn between $1,200 and $1,800 daily, which underscores the lucrative potential of certain specialties. How one approaches job selection is equally important; while hospital systems typically offer stable employment with benefits, specialty practices and urgent care facilities may provide higher pay without the safety net of health insurance. To navigate this landscape effectively, it benefits prospective PAs to weigh the pros and cons of accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits against the allure of high-pay, 1099 contracts. Practical negotiation skills that reflect the demand and skillset required for specific positions can lead to favorable outcomes in this evolving field in Sacramento.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Sacramento in 2026?
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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
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 Sacramento. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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