Physician Assistants in California
Want to work as a Physician Assistants in California? Below are the key facts. Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants. Excludes “Registered Nurses” (29-1141), “Nurse Anesthetists” (29-1151), “Nurse Midwives” (29-1161), “Nurse Practitioners” (29-1171), “Emergency Medical Technicians” (29-2042), “Paramedics” (29-2043), “Surgical Assistants” (29-9093), and “Medical Assistants” (31-9092).
What do Physician Assistants Make in California?
For a physician assistants working in California, the median annual wage is $161,080 per year (or about $77.44/hour).Pay can range from $94,870 at the 10th percentile to $219,300 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $94,870 | $45.61 |
| 25th percentile | $130,020 | $62.51 |
| Median (50th) | $161,080 | $77.44 |
| 75th percentile | $197,600 | $95.00 |
| 90th percentile | $219,300 | $105.43 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California relative to the national average — is 0.75, suggesting fewer physician assistants per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, physician assistants earn a median of $77,320 per year ($37.17/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 2,442,559 physician assistants nationwide. In California alone, about 13,570 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,770 physician assistants.
Top California Metros for Physician Assistants
The metro areas below employ the most physician assistants in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4,710 | $156,210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,980 | $167,090 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,160 | $166,730 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,100 | $153,530 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 760 | $153,630 |
| Fresno, CA | 350 | $150,650 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 250 | $159,270 |
| Modesto, CA | 200 | $178,520 |
| Salinas, CA | 170 | $163,700 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 160 | $163,190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 150 | $150,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 130 | $150,840 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 130 | $138,440 |
| Vallejo, CA | 130 | $180,540 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 100 | $152,240 |
| Visalia, CA | 90 | $147,350 |
| Chico, CA | 80 | $148,370 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $150,380 |
| Merced, CA | 50 | $146,530 |
| El Centro, CA | 40 | $154,790 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 40 | $156,410 |
| Yuba City, CA | 40 | $148,960 |
Top States for Physician Assistants Employment
These states have the highest employment of physician assistants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New York | 19,390 |
| California | 13,570 |
| Florida | 10,570 |
| Texas | 10,030 |
| North Carolina | 8,520 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,760 |
| Michigan | 5,490 |
| Ohio | 4,530 |
| Georgia | 4,400 |
| Massachusetts | 4,310 |
| Illinois | 3,930 |
| Minnesota | 3,790 |
| Connecticut | 3,700 |
| Arizona | 3,540 |
| Virginia | 3,530 |
| Washington | 3,310 |
| Colorado | 3,180 |
| Wisconsin | 3,040 |
| Maryland | 2,920 |
| Tennessee | 2,380 |
Highest-Paying States for Physician Assistants
These states pay the most for physician assistants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $163,020 |
| California | $161,080 |
| Washington | $156,990 |
| New York | $152,650 |
| Oregon | $149,130 |
| Rhode Island | $141,600 |
| New Jersey | $140,490 |
| New Mexico | $139,990 |
| Minnesota | $139,300 |
| Missouri | $139,200 |
Skills
Key physician assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for physician assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, physician assistants typically:
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
- Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
- Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.
- Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Allied Health Professions
- Physician Assistant Residency/Fellowship Programs
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like physician assistants include:
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Registered Nurses
- Acute Care Nurses
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Nurse Practitioners
Also Known As
Advanced Practice Provider (AAP), Anesthetic Assistant, Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Certified Physician's Assistant (PA-C), Doctor Assistant, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Medicine PA (Family Medicine Physician Assistant), Family Physician Assistant, Family Practice Physician Assistant, Gynecological Assistant, Medical Service Technician, Neurosurgery PA (Neurosurgery Physician Assistant), Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1071.00
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