Physician Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $167,265 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $167,265/year (≈ $80.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $147,284 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Los Angeles, California, can expect to see a median annual salary projected at $167,265 for 2026, significantly above the national median of $140,391. Salaries for this role can vary widely, with pay ranging from $102,876 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $227,903 for the top earners (P90). Data compiled from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys reflects the dynamic market for physician assistants in Los Angeles, especially considering the choice between traditional W-2 hospital positions and 1099 surgical practice contracts. This structural choice often influences not only job security but also the earning potential, as specialty practices tend to offer higher compensation for specific skills and cases.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,876 | $49.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,017 | $66.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,265 | $80.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,775 | $101.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,903 | $109.57 |
Median Salary Position
19.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,027 (2026 est.). At $167,265, the local median is 19.14% above the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be above the median
How Los Angeles Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $167,265/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,331 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +19.14% more |
Physician Assistants in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $167,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.14% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% below the California state average of $170,331.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,265 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,284 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,630
2025 BLS Actual
$161,890
2026 Current Est.
$167,265
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,265 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 30.9% from $123,630 (2019) to $161,890 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,188 (39.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $102,876 – $139,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,017 – $167,265 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,265 – $211,775 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,775 – $227,903 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Los Angeles
The job market for physician assistants in Los Angeles remains robust, with approximately 3,890 PAs currently employed in the area. However, prospective PAs should be mindful of the cost of living, as the area has a higher index of 113.566, which can impact overall take-home pay and purchasing power. Among various employers, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest compensation, driven by factors such as first-assist case volume, call coverage, and RVU productivity bonuses. In contrast, primary care settings typically provide lower pay. Strategies for maximizing physician assistant pay in Los Angeles could include seeking employment in high-demand specialties, considering hospital employment models for benefits, and expanding skill sets to align with lucrative surgical practices.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Los Angeles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Los Angeles?
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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 $161,890 for physician assistantsin the Los Angeles 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