Physician Assistant Salary in Thousand Oaks, CA: $159,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Thousand Oaks, CA earns a median $159,252/year (≈ $76.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Thousand Oaks's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $140,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Thousand Oaks, California, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants (PAs) in 2026 is $159,252, which is above the national median of $140,391 by approximately 13.43%. The salary range for this role spans from $119,996 at the 10th percentile to $230,498 at the 90th percentile. This data, primarily derived from 2025 BLS OEWS projections and adjusted for regional market conditions, reflects the demand for both surgical and primary care specialties in the area. In a job market where specialized PAs, particularly those in surgical fields, tend to command higher salaries, Thousand Oaks offers competitive compensation rates that can greatly influence career choices and specialty preferences.
About the Thousand Oaks Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,996 | $57.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,249 | $68.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,252 | $76.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,607 | $94.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,498 | $110.82 |
Median Salary Position
13.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,502 (2026 est.). At $159,252, the local median is 13.43% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thousand Oaks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thousand Oaks Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Thousand Oaks median: $159,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thousand Oaks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,323 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +13.43% more |
Physician Assistants in Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $159,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.43% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 6.50% below the California state average of $170,323.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thousand Oaks has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thousand Oaks, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,252 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,806 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,342
2025 BLS Actual
$154,135
2026 Current Est.
$159,252
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,892 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,939 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,488 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,539 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thousand Oaks metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $127,342 (2019) to $154,135 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,539 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,197 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thousand Oaks 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) | $119,996 – $143,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,249 – $159,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,252 – $196,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,607 – $230,498 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Thousand Oaks
The local job market indicates that there are 32 physician assistants currently employed in Thousand Oaks. Given the cost of living index at 113.1, those entering the profession must consider how salary interacts with local expenses. Surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, generally offer higher pay compared to positions in primary care or urgent care settings. Various factors drive the differences in earnings, including first-assist case volume and opportunities for productivity bonuses in hospital roles. For aspiring PAs in Thousand Oaks, focusing on surgical specialties and seeking employment within reputable health systems can be advantageous strategies to enhance earning potential in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Thousand Oaks, CA in 2026?
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Thousand Oaks?
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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 $154,135 for physician assistantsin the Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks 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