PA Salary

San Francisco vs Victorville: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between San Francisco, CA and Victorville, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$190,501
$91.59/hr
Victorville, CA
$167,668
$80.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVictorville, CA
Median Salary$190,501$167,668
Hourly Rate$91.59$80.61
Entry Level (P10)$109,674$120,845
25th Percentile$162,202$143,026
75th Percentile$226,488$203,013
Top Earner (P90)$245,881$235,098
Total Employed1,83030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($190,501) and Victorville ($167,668) physician assistant salaries.San FranciscoVictorvilleMedian Salary$190,501$167,668Entry Level (P10)$109,674$120,845Top Earner (P90)$245,881$235,098US Median $140,391

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Victorville.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Victorville is $22,833 (13.62%). San Francisco's median is +35.69% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $136,207,Victorville spans $114,253. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$109,674
P25$162,202
Median$190,501
P75$226,488
P90 (Top)$245,881
Victorville
P10 (Entry)$120,845
P25$143,026
Median$167,668
P75$203,013
P90 (Top)$235,098

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($164,775 effective) pays 11.15% more than Victorville ($148,248 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $190,501
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $164,775
Victorville
Nominal: $167,668
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $148,248

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($190,501/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($245,881)
  • Larger job market (1,830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $164,775)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Victorville if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in San Francisco grew 45.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.0% growth in Victorville over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+45.6%

$126,660 (2019) → $184,380 (2025)

Victorville, CA

+-6.0%

$172,646 (2024) → $162,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: San Francisco or Victorville?

San Francisco has a higher median physician assistant salary at $190,501/year, compared to Victorville at $167,668/year — a difference of $22,833 (13.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Victorville?

San Francisco physician assistants earn $91.59/hr while Victorville hygienists earn $80.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Victorville as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Victorville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $164,775, Victorville = $148,248), job availability (1,830 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in San Francisco vs Victorville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $109,674 in San Francisco and $120,845 in Victorville. The Victorville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov