Physician Assistant Salary in Mission Viejo, CA: $171,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Mission Viejo, CA earns a median $171,831/year (≈ $82.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Mission Viejo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,928 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median physician assistant salary in Mission Viejo, California, is projected to reach $171,831, representing a significant advantage over the national median of $140,391. Compensation in this area exhibits a broad range, from $124,784 at the lower end (P10) to $234,728 at the higher end (P90). These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and incorporate regional cost adjustments, providing insight into the unique economic conditions of Mission Viejo. The compensation structure here highlights the distinction between surgical and primary care specialties, which can significantly influence earnings, with surgical positions typically commanding higher salaries due to the nature of the work.
About the Mission Viejo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $124,784 | $59.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,643 | $72.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,831 | $82.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,587 | $98.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,728 | $112.85 |
Median Salary Position
22.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mission Viejo
In Mission Viejo, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,944 (2026 est.). At $171,831, the local median is 22.39% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mission Viejo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mission Viejo Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Mission Viejo median: $171,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mission Viejo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,299 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +22.39% more |
Physician Assistants in Mission Viejo, CA earn a median of $171,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.39% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% above the California state average of $170,299.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mission Viejo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mission Viejo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,831 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,928 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,400
2025 BLS Actual
$166,310
2026 Current Est.
$171,831
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Mission Viejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $141,231 | Actual |
| 2021 | $148,746 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,933 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,536 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mission Viejo metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $137,400 (2019) to $166,310 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,536 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,136 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mission Viejo 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) | $124,784 – $150,643 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,643 – $171,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,831 – $204,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,587 – $234,728 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Mission Viejo
A total of 23 physician assistants are currently employed in Mission Viejo, highlighting a stable job market for this occupation. However, the cost of living in the area, with an index of 113.1, indicates that housing and other expenses may impact disposable income. Among local employers, surgical specialty clinics and hospital systems generally offer the most competitive compensation packages, particularly for roles involving first-assist responsibilities in high-demand fields like orthopedics and cardiac surgery. Factors such as call coverage expectations and RVU productivity bonuses also influence the variance in pay. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Mission Viejo, focusing on surgical specialties or negotiating for comprehensive benefits can provide a substantial advantage in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Mission Viejo, 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 $166,310 for physician assistantsin the Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo 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