Physician Assistant Salary in Bakersfield, CA: $204,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Bakersfield, CA earns a median $204,646/year (≈ $98.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Bakersfield's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $202,849 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, California, the projected median salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $204,646, significantly above the national average, which is set at $140,391. The salary range for these roles spans from $130,390 at the 10th percentile to $227,294 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a robust demand for physician assistants in both surgical and primary care specialties. The Bakersfield job market, with its diverse healthcare landscape, offers competitive compensation, particularly for those specializing in high-demand areas like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $130,390 | $62.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $161,789 | $77.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $204,646 | $98.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $227,294 | $109.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,294 | $109.27 |
Median Salary Position
45.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,904 (2026 est.). At $204,646, the local median is 45.77% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bakersfield: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Bakersfield Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Bakersfield median: $204,646/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bakersfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,255 | +20.20% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +45.77% more |
Physician Assistants in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $204,646 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.77% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 20.20% above the California state average of $170,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bakersfield has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.886 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $204,646 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $202,849 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,450
2025 BLS Actual
$198,070
2026 Current Est.
$204,646
2019–2027 Growth
+71.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $198,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $204,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $211,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 60.4% from $123,450 (2019) to $198,070 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $211,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $87,990 (71.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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) | $130,390 – $161,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $161,789 – $204,646 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $204,646 – $227,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $227,294 – $227,294 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Bakersfield
Employment opportunities in Bakersfield are notable, with around 350 physician assistants currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 100.886, which slightly impacts take-home pay when compared to national averages. Among the various employers, surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedics and emergency departments, typically offer higher compensation, while positions in primary care offices tend to be on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Factors influencing the salary spread include the type of specialty, case volume, and structure of employment, whether in hospital settings or private practice. To maximize earnings in Bakersfield, aspiring physician assistants should consider seeking roles in surgical settings or take advantage of productivity bonuses associated with RVU systems.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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 $198,070 for physician assistantsin the Bakersfield 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
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