Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $227,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Los Angeles, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $227,903/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Los Angeles's price premium (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $200,679 in average-cost America. The 36% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, experienced physician assistants in Los Angeles have the potential to earn significant salaries, with top-tier earners at the 90th percentile making as much as $227,903 annually. This figure represents a noteworthy contrast to the national top earners, who are projected to earn less, reflecting the local demand and cost of living in CA. The experience premium is clearly illustrated in the salary gap between the median annual salary of $167,265 and the high-end figures. Achieving this top-tier pay typically requires a combination of advanced clinical expertise, specialized training, and a strategic choice of employer, particularly in high-demand specialty areas and facility types that are known for lucrative compensation packages.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Los Angeles earn between $211,775 and $227,903 per year (2026 est.). This $125,027 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Los Angeles median of $167,265 sits 19.14% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Los Angeles | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $167,265 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $211,775 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $227,903 | $196,597 |
In Los Angeles, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 36.25% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Los Angeles
Advanced Certifications in California
CA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $167,265 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Los Angeles employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Los Angeles command premium compensation, often reaching the $211,775–$227,903 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Los Angeles metro area, which is a large PA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Los Angeles with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in California who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Los Angeles
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLos Angeles ranks #135 of 158 California cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $227,903).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Los Angeles ($227,903) is 4.29% below the California average P90 ($238,110).
2019 BLS Actual
$172,070
2025 BLS Actual
$220,580
2026 Current Est.
$227,903
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $172,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $191,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $171,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $206,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $220,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $220,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $227,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $235,470 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Los Angeles saw their compensation grow 28.2% from $172,070 in 2019 to $220,580 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $235,470 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Los Angeles
Specializations play a critical role in determining senior physician assistant pay in CA, with surgical roles in orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery often leading to the highest salaries. Emergency medicine, dermatology, and hospital medicine also offer competitive compensation options. Differences in pay are evident depending on the type of employer, as hospital systems generally offer structured W-2 salaries, while specialty practices and urgent care facilities may provide more variable compensation tied to productivity or case volume. Advanced credentials like a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program or a Certificate of Added Qualifications in specific areas can enhance earning potential. Furthermore, leadership roles such as lead PA, residency director, or positions within organizations like the AAPA can pave the way for increased pay and professional advancement, making strategic career decisions valuable for maximizing compensation in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Los Angeles in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Los Angeles?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Los Angeles?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Los Angeles?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Los Angeles?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in California
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $220,580 for physician assistants in the Los Angeles metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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