Physician Assistants Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $154,540 +16% vs national
Median hourly $74.30
10th percentile $121,340
90th percentile $216,640
National median $133,260

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Physician Assistants
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $121,340
    25th
    $121,340
    50th (median)
    $154,540
    75th
    $162,560
    90th
    $216,640

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Physician Assistants salary vs area income 141% Median Physician Assistants salary is 41% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physician Assistants make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Physician Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA is $74.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $100.36 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Physician Assistants salaries?

    The median Physician Assistants salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 16% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Physician Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $121,340 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,340.