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

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.