Healthcare San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Physician Assistant Salary in San Diego, California

The median physician assistant salary in San Diego, CA is $189,015 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median and 2.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$189,015
vs State Avg
+$5,040
vs National
+$63,005
Cost of Living
142%

Physician Assistant Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $132,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $243,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$132,000
+$44,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$189,000
+$63,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$243,000
+$81,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $126,000
25th Percentile $159,000
Median (50th) $189,015
75th Percentile $226,500
90th Percentile $261,000

Physician Assistant Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$239,419
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$221,778
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$194,055
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$158,773
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Physician Assistant in San Diego

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in San Diego

Browse open physician assistant positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in San Diego

How much does a Physician Assistant make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in San Diego, California is $189,015 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $126,000 (10th percentile) to $261,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $189,015, a physician assistant in San Diego earns approximately $91 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
San Diego's median physician assistant salary of $189,015 is 2.7% above the California state average of $183,975. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $189,015 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in San Diego? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in San Diego require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.