Physician Assistant Salary in Indio, CA: $167,152 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Indio, CA earns a median $167,152/year (≈ $80.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Indio's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $147,791 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Indio, California, the projected median annual salary for a physician assistant is set at $167,152 for 2026, positioning it notably above the national average of $140,391. Salaries here reflect a range from $126,649 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $235,770 for those in the highest brackets (P90). These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living. It's intriguing to note that physician assistant pay in Indio CA tends to be influenced not only by the structural choice between W-2 employment at hospitals and 1099 arrangements in private surgical practices but also by the varying degrees of demand across specialties, thereby shaping the local job market dynamics.
About the Indio Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $126,649 | $60.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,001 | $72.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,152 | $80.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,476 | $97.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $235,770 | $113.35 |
Median Salary Position
19.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indio
In Indio, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,121 (2026 est.). At $167,152, the local median is 19.06% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indio Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Indio median: $167,152/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,216 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +19.06% more |
Physician Assistants in Indio, CA earn a median of $167,152 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.06% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% below the California state average of $170,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indio has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indio, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,152 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,791 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,659
2025 BLS Actual
$161,781
2026 Current Est.
$167,152
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Indio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,659 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,385 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,696 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,781 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,152 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indio metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $133,659 (2019) to $161,781 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,043 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indio 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) | $126,649 – $151,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,001 – $167,152 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,152 – $203,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,476 – $235,770 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Indio
While only 23 physician assistants are currently employed in the Indio area, this market offers a competitive environment for those entering or advancing in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power of a physician assistant's salary may be impacted, necessitating a strategic approach to job selection and negotiation. Employment at high-paying specialties such as surgical practices, including orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, often results in greater compensation compared to roles in primary care or urgent care settings. Factors that contribute to this pay spread include case volume, call coverage, and the availability of RVU productivity bonuses. For maximizing earning potential in Indio, targeting surgical specialty practices and exploring hospital-based positions may be advantageous, as these avenues typically yield the most lucrative opportunities for physician assistants.
More salary data for Indio, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Indio, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Indio?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Indio?
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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 $161,781 for physician assistantsin the Indio 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 Indio 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