Average Physician Assistant Salary in California

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine under physician supervision, providing a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. They conduct physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and perform procedures — delivering care that mirrors that of physicians in many settings. PAs practice across virtually every medical and surgical specialty, from family medicine and emergency medicine to orthopedics, cardiology, and dermatology. The profession is among the fastest-growing in healthcare: the national median annual salary is approximately $130,020, with surgical and specialty PAs in high-demand markets earning $170,000 and above.

In California, physician assistants earn an average of $151,263 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $98,427 for entry-level roles to $218,699 for the most experienced professionals — +16.3% above the national average. Pay is influenced most by specialty — surgical pas (orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery) earn significantly more than primary care, practice setting — private specialty groups and surgery centers often pay more than hospital systems, and the specific metro area within California.