Physician Assistant Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $171,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $171,066/year (≈ $82.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Costa Mesa, California, the physician assistant salary reaches a projected median of $171,066 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $140,391. This reflects the demand in the local healthcare market, where salaries range from $123,702 at the lower end (P10) to $247,205 at the 90th percentile (P90). With local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional pricing, the higher compensation often correlates with specialty practice in surgical environments rather than in primary care. As Costa Mesa's healthcare landscape continues to evolve, opportunities for physician assistants, particularly in surgical settings, may provide a lucrative career trajectory.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $123,702 | $59.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $149,941 | $72.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,066 | $82.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,960 | $101.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,205 | $118.85 |
Median Salary Position
21.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,503 (2026 est.). At $171,066, the local median is 21.85% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $171,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,215 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +21.85% more |
Physician Assistants in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $171,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.85% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.50% above the California state average of $170,215.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,066 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,252 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,788
2025 BLS Actual
$165,569
2026 Current Est.
$171,066
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $148,084 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,429 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $136,788 (2019) to $165,569 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,957 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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) | $123,702 – $149,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $149,941 – $171,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,066 – $210,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,960 – $247,205 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Costa Mesa
Employment for physician assistants in Costa Mesa is relatively stable, with approximately 23 individuals currently working in the field. However, the cost of living index for the area stands at 113.1, making it crucial for professionals to maximize their earning potential. Factors influencing salary disparities include the type of practice, with surgical specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery generally offering higher pay compared to primary care roles. Additional sources of compensation, such as first-assist case volume and revenue-based productivity bonuses, also contribute to differences in take-home pay. To enhance their earning prospects, PAs in this region should consider targeting employment with leading hospital systems or specialized surgical practices, as these settings often feature more robust compensation packages.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, 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 $165,569 for physician assistantsin the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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