Physician Assistant Salary in Sacramento, CA: $166,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Sacramento, CA earns a median $166,831/year (≈ $80.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $156,399 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the projection for physician assistant salary in 2026 indicates a median annual figure of $166,831, surpassing the national median of $140,391 by a noteworthy 18.83%. The salary spectrum varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning as low as $74,845 and experienced professionals in specialized surgeries potentially reaching $232,883 annually. These estimates are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and showcase the strong demand for physician assistants within the city. The varying levels of compensation often stem from the specialties practiced; surgical roles typically command higher wages compared to primary care positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,845 | $35.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,357 | $62.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,831 | $80.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,022 | $90.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,883 | $111.97 |
Median Salary Position
18.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,038 (2026 est.). At $166,831, the local median is 18.83% above the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be above the median
How Sacramento Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $166,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,236 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +18.83% more |
Physician Assistants in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $166,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.83% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.00% below the California state average of $170,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,831 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,399 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,810
2025 BLS Actual
$161,470
2026 Current Est.
$166,831
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $163,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 31.5% from $122,810 (2019) to $161,470 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,560 (40.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $74,845 – $129,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,357 – $166,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,831 – $188,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,022 – $232,883 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Sacramento
Currently, Sacramento is home to approximately 1,070 physician assistants, providing a robust employment market for this profession. However, the cost of living in the city, reflected in a Cost of Living Index of 106.67, suggests that take-home pay is impacted by local expenses. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments, where PAs participating in first-assist roles can significantly increase their earnings through RVU productivity bonuses and additional call coverage pay. As the local market trends indicate, pursuing specialties such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery can be a strategic way to enhance overall compensation. Understanding the differences in pay based on practice setting and specialty can aid PAs in making informed career decisions while maximizing their earning potential in the Sacramento CA area.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $161,470 for physician assistantsin the Sacramento 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