Physician Assistant Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $173,949 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $173,949/year (≈ $83.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,801 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Santa Clarita, California, are projected to earn a median salary of $173,949. This figure represents a significant 23.90% increase compared to the national median of $140,391 for the same year. The local salary range for this role highlights the disparities within the profession, with earnings spanning from $125,585 at the 10th percentile to $257,712 at the 90th percentile. These estimates stem from comprehensive data based on 2025 BLS sources and account for regional price variations. Such compensation reflects the prevalent first-assist billing model in surgical practices within the area, which tends to drive up salaries particularly for PAs involved in surgical specialties.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $125,585 | $60.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,402 | $73.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,949 | $83.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $217,030 | $104.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $257,712 | $123.90 |
Median Salary Position
23.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,127 (2026 est.). At $173,949, the local median is 23.9% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $173,949/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,204 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +23.90% more |
Physician Assistants in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $173,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.90% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.20% above the California state average of $170,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,949 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,801 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,093
2025 BLS Actual
$168,359
2026 Current Est.
$173,949
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,098 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,359 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,949 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $139,093 (2019) to $168,359 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,631 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $125,585 – $153,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,402 – $173,949 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,949 – $217,030 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $217,030 – $257,712 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Santa Clarita
The job market for physician assistants in Santa Clarita is robust, with 41 professionals currently employed in this role. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power can be somewhat diminished. The highest-paying opportunities are typically within hospital systems and surgical specialty clinics, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, due to high case volumes and lucrative first-assist billing. Factors influencing salary variance include the type of practice, call coverage, and the potential for revenue-based productivity bonuses. As evidenced in this competitive environment, PAs seeking to optimize their earnings should consider specializing in high-demand areas, actively pursue additional certifications, and network effectively within the Santa Clarita medical community.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Santa Clarita, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Santa Clarita?
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Related Pages
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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 $168,359 for physician assistantsin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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