Physician Assistant Salary in Antioch, CA: $168,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Antioch, CA earns a median $168,164/year (≈ $80.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Antioch's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Antioch, California, can expect a median annual salary of $168,164, significantly above the national figure of $140,391 for the same year. The local compensation spans a broad range, with salaries starting at $121,794 for entry-level PAs and reaching as high as $243,039 for those in the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the city’s evolving job market. Particularly, the choice between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 surgical practice structures can greatly influence earning potential, with surgical specialties typically offering higher salaries due to specialized skills and increased case volume.
About the Antioch Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $121,794 | $58.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,669 | $70.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,164 | $80.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,788 | $99.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,039 | $116.84 |
Median Salary Position
19.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Antioch
In Antioch, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,245 (2026 est.). At $168,164, the local median is 19.78% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Antioch: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Antioch Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Antioch median: $168,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Antioch Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,206 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +19.78% more |
Physician Assistants in Antioch, CA earn a median of $168,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.78% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.20% below the California state average of $170,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Antioch has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Antioch, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,164 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,686 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,467
2025 BLS Actual
$162,760
2026 Current Est.
$168,164
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Antioch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,467 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,938 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Antioch metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $134,467 (2019) to $162,760 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,280 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Antioch 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) | $121,794 – $147,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,669 – $168,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,164 – $207,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,788 – $243,039 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Antioch
A competitive job market exists for the 17 physician assistants currently employed in Antioch, CA, especially given the city’s cost of living index of 113.1, which is above the national average. This higher cost of living necessitates that PAs maximize their take-home pay. Among local employers, W-2 hospital systems often provide the most stable salaries, while 1099 locum agencies and specialty practices like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery tend to compensate at the higher end of the spectrum. Factors such as first-assist billing, call coverage responsibilities, and RVU productivity bonuses contribute to the disparity in pay. To enhance earnings, PAs in Antioch might consider pursuing additional certifications in high-demand specialties and exploring positions that offer productivity incentives or higher case volumes.
More salary data for Antioch, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Antioch, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Antioch?
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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 $162,760 for physician assistantsin the Antioch 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 Antioch 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