Physician Assistant Salary in Vacaville, CA: $169,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Vacaville, CA earns a median $169,896/year (≈ $81.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $150,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for physician assistants in Vacaville, California, reaches an impressive $169,896, showcasing a premium compared to the national median of $140,391. This disparity indicates not only a vibrant local healthcare market but also the influence of specialty areas, particularly surgical practices, which often command higher wages. Among the local salary range, figures span from $125,906 at the lowest 10th percentile to $249,481 at the 90th percentile. These values are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, suggesting that those in high-demand specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery are likely to reap the benefits of Vacaville’s competitive pay landscape, influenced by a limited number of positions available in the region.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $125,906 | $60.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,225 | $72.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,896 | $81.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,873 | $101.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $249,481 | $119.94 |
Median Salary Position
21.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,575 (2026 est.). At $169,896, the local median is 21.02% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $169,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,237 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +21.02% more |
Physician Assistants in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $169,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.02% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.20% below the California state average of $170,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,896 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,218 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,853
2025 BLS Actual
$164,437
2026 Current Est.
$169,896
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,641 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $174,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,437 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $135,853 (2019) to $164,437 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,684 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $125,906 – $151,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,225 – $169,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,896 – $211,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,873 – $249,481 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Vacaville
With only 15 physician assistants currently employed in Vacaville, the job market reflects both its size and the potential for upwards mobility in compensation. The local cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates that while salaries may appear robust, they must accommodate housing and other living expenses that exceed the national average. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly those in urgent care and emergency medicine, where case volume and call coverage drive revenue per visit. The variation in salaries often hinges on specialty focus, productivity bonuses, and whether the employment structure is based on guaranteed W-2 positions or 1099 contracts. To maximize earning potential in Vacaville, new entrants should consider aligning their practice with higher-paying specialties and actively seek out roles in top-paying employer settings, ensuring they are well-versed in the dynamics of state law and scope of practice guidelines governing physician assistants in California.
More salary data for Vacaville, 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 $164,437 for physician assistantsin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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