Physician Assistants Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $153,530 +15.2% vs national
Median hourly $73.81
10th percentile $95,870
90th percentile $213,880
Employed locally 1,100
National median $133,260

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Physician Assistants
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $95,870
    25th
    $122,140
    50th (median)
    $153,530
    75th
    $172,060
    90th
    $213,880

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Physician Assistants salary vs area income 150% Median Physician Assistants salary is 50% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physician Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $215,600
    Napa, CA $183,930
    Vallejo, CA $180,540
    Modesto, CA $178,520
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $167,140
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $167,090

    Nearby metros — Physician Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $215,600
    Napa, CA $183,930
    Vallejo, CA $180,540
    Modesto, CA $178,520
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $167,090
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $166,730

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physician Assistants make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Physician Assistants in San Diego, CA is $73.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $103.16 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Physician Assistants salaries?

    The median Physician Assistants salary in San Diego, CA is 15.2% above the national median of $133,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physician Assistants in San Diego?

    Entry-level Physician Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $95,870 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $122,140.