Physician Assistant Salary in Alhambra, CA: $167,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Alhambra, CA earns a median $167,760/year (≈ $80.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Alhambra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,329 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The physician assistant salary in Alhambra, CA, is considerably competitive, with a projected median annual salary of $167,760 in 2026. This figure reflects a robust local market, partly driven by surgical first-assist billing, which allows PAs in surgical specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery to command higher compensation. The salary range for physician assistants in this area extends from $128,763 at the lower end to $237,835 at the high end, emphasizing the variance based on specialty and role. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost structures, which helps inform potential candidates seeking employment in Alhambra as they consider career paths in this dynamic healthcare environment.
About the Alhambra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $128,763 | $61.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $152,275 | $73.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,760 | $80.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,547 | $95.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,835 | $114.34 |
Median Salary Position
19.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alhambra
In Alhambra, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,072 (2026 est.). At $167,760, the local median is 19.49% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alhambra: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alhambra Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Alhambra median: $167,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alhambra Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,314 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +19.49% more |
Physician Assistants in Alhambra, CA earn a median of $167,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.49% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.50% below the California state average of $170,314.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alhambra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alhambra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,760 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,329 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,144
2025 BLS Actual
$162,369
2026 Current Est.
$167,760
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Alhambra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,885 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,367 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alhambra metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $134,144 (2019) to $162,369 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,185 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alhambra 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $128,763 – $152,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $152,275 – $167,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,760 – $198,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,547 – $237,835 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Alhambra
Currently, there are 13 employed physician assistants in Alhambra, reflecting a niche job market that is expected to grow at a rate of 3.32% annually over the next five years. The local cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may appear high, purchasing power needs careful consideration. Among the different healthcare settings, surgical specialty practices and hospital systems typically offer the most attractive pay. Factors such as first-assist case volume, specific healthcare demands, call coverage commitments, and potential productivity bonuses explain the disparity in earnings. To maximize pay in this market, aspiring physician assistants should consider specializing in surgical roles and proactively engage with local employers, particularly those in high-demand specialties.
More salary data for Alhambra, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $162,369 for physician assistantsin the Alhambra metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alhambra 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