Physician Assistant Salary in Chico, CA: $170,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Chico, CA earns a median $170,251/year (≈ $81.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $168,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Chico, California, can expect to see a median annual salary of $170,251 in 2026, reflecting a 21.27% increase over the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $133,458 (at the 10th percentile) to $208,820 (at the 90th percentile), indicating a healthy market for PAs. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the compensation levels here suggest a competitive job environment. This is particularly relevant for those choosing between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 surgical practice roles, as it can greatly influence earnings potential in Chico's diverse healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $133,458 | $64.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140,835 | $67.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,251 | $81.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,978 | $89.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,820 | $100.40 |
Median Salary Position
21.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,362 (2026 est.). At $170,251, the local median is 21.27% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Chico median: $170,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,391 | +21.27% more |
Physician Assistants in Chico, CA earn a median of $170,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.27% higher than the national median of $140,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,251 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $168,237 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,190
2025 BLS Actual
$164,780
2026 Current Est.
$170,251
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $152,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 14.3% from $144,190 (2019) to $164,780 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,713 (21.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $133,458 – $140,835 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $140,835 – $170,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,251 – $186,978 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,978 – $208,820 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Chico
In terms of the job market, Chico employs approximately 130 physician assistants, providing a steady demand for skilled professionals. The cost of living index stands at 101.197, indicating that the expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where specialties tend to yield greater returns due to first-assist case work and high-volume surgical roles. Factors influencing the pay spread include case volume, call coverage, and compensation structures such as RVU productivity bonuses. For those in search of maximizing their earnings in Chico, pursuing opportunities in surgical specialties or exploring roles in hospital settings while considering the benefits of 1099 locum positions could lead to enhanced financial stability.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Chico, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Chico?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Chico?
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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 $164,780 for physician assistantsin the Chico 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