Physician Assistant Salary in Porterville, CA: $168,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Porterville, CA earns a median $168,501/year (≈ $81.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Porterville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,984 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Porterville, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $168,501, reflecting a significant advantage over the national median of $140,391. The salary range spans from $117,038 at the 10th percentile to $229,666 at the 90th percentile, indicating both the high earning potential in surgical specialties and the lower end of pay for primary care positions. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlights the competitive nature of the Porterville job market, particularly for PAs with surgical expertise, as specialties drive higher compensation levels.
About the Porterville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117,038 | $56.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,837 | $73.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,501 | $81.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,315 | $96.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,666 | $110.42 |
Median Salary Position
20.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Porterville
In Porterville, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,628 (2026 est.). At $168,501, the local median is 20.02% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Porterville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Porterville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Porterville median: $168,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Porterville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,204 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +20.02% more |
Physician Assistants in Porterville, CA earn a median of $168,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.02% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.00% below the California state average of $170,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Porterville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Porterville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,501 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,984 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,738
2025 BLS Actual
$163,087
2026 Current Est.
$168,501
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Porterville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,494 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,241 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,054 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,503 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,087 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Porterville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $134,738 (2019) to $163,087 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,358 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Porterville 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) | $117,038 – $153,837 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,837 – $168,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,501 – $200,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,315 – $229,666 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Porterville
With only 11 physician assistants currently employed in Porterville, the local job market demonstrates a substantial demand for skilled professionals. The cost of living index sits at 113.1, suggesting that take-home pay may be impacted, making salary negotiations essential for maximizing financial well-being. Employers in the area that typically offer the highest pay include surgical specialty practices, hospital systems, and urgent care facilities, with those working in first-assist roles seeing pronounced differences in earnings. Factors such as specialty focus, call coverage responsibilities, and RVU productivity bonuses contribute to the salary spectrum. PAs looking to improve their compensation should consider specializing in high-demand areas and explore opportunities in the wider healthcare system to leverage their expertise effectively.
More salary data for Porterville, 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 $163,087 for physician assistantsin the Porterville 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 Porterville 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