Physician Assistant Salary in San Mateo, CA: $172,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in San Mateo, CA earns a median $172,057/year (≈ $82.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,128 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in San Mateo, California, is $172,057, significantly higher than the national median of $140,391. This disparity reflects the area's specific healthcare landscape, especially as surgical physician assistants take advantage of first-assist billing, which can considerably increase compensation. Salaries in San Mateo vary widely, with a range from $117,229 at the 10th percentile to $250,210 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities, indicating that the demand for skilled PAs is robust in this market, driven largely by specialization in surgical practices and high patient turnover.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117,229 | $56.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $155,716 | $74.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,057 | $82.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $206,893 | $99.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,210 | $120.30 |
Median Salary Position
22.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo
In San Mateo, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,981 (2026 est.). At $172,057, the local median is 22.56% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Mateo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Mateo Physician Assistant Pay Compares
San Mateo median: $172,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Mateo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,185 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +22.56% more |
Physician Assistants in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $172,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.56% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.10% above the California state average of $170,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Mateo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,057 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,128 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,580
2025 BLS Actual
$166,528
2026 Current Est.
$172,057
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $141,416 | Actual |
| 2021 | $148,941 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,432 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,346 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,769 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $137,580 (2019) to $166,528 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,769 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,189 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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) | $117,229 – $155,716 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $155,716 – $172,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,057 – $206,893 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $206,893 – $250,210 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in San Mateo
Given that only 21 physician assistants are currently employed in San Mateo, the job market remains competitive but offers considerable potential for growth, supported by a 3.32% annual growth rate. However, the cost of living, with an index of 113.1, must be factored into take-home purchasing power. Leading employers include hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in fields such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where remuneration often rises due to first-assist roles and case volumes. Factors influencing salary variations here include specialty focus, call coverage requirements, and RVU productivity bonuses. For those aiming for higher compensation, pursuing roles in surgical settings or hospital employment, alongside strategic negotiation and continued specialization training, may yield the best outcomes in maximizing physician assistant pay in San Mateo, CA.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in San Mateo, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in San Mateo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in San Mateo?
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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 $166,528 for physician assistantsin the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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