Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Menifee, CA: $124,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Menifee, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $124,052 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Menifee's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $109,683 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($169,085) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting a career as a physician assistant in Menifee, California, comes with considerable financial expectations. New graduates can look forward to an entry-level physician assistant salary in Menifee starting at $124,052, which is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $169,085. However, there's potential for growth: entry-level salaries can progress to $149,555 at the 25th percentile (P25) and towards the median as professionals gain experience. This trajectory suggests that Menifee is a promising market for new grads, especially with a projected annual growth rate of 3.32% over the next five years, which can enhance early-career salaries as foundational skills and knowledge are developed.
About the Menifee Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Menifee
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Menifee
Entry-level physician assistants in Menifee, CA typically start between $124,052 and $149,555 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,318 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $169,085 — 20.44% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in California of $110,000 represents just 88.67% of the starting physician assistant pay ($124,052/year) in Menifee. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Menifee
- 1Research the Menifee market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $124,052 to $149,555, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Menifee, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Menifee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Menifee's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Menifee is $116,318 ( 93.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $124,052, experienced hygienists can earn up to $240,370.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,857
2025 BLS Actual
$120,066
2026 Current Est.
$124,052
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Menifee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,163 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,267 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,239 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,171 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Menifee, CA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $87,857 in 2019 to $120,066 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $128,171. New graduates entering the Menifee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menifee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Menifee
In Menifee, various healthcare employers are positioned to hire entry-level physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings that facilitate structured onboarding for new grads. Surgical subspecialties, like orthopedics and cardiothoracic (CT) surgery, typically require applicants to navigate PA residency or fellowship pipelines. Continuing education plays a pivotal role in boosting entry-level pay; credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), state PA license, and DEA registration significantly enhance a PA's marketability. In the first few years of practice, especially for those opting for surgical roles, salary growth can be robust, particularly for PAs in specialties with first-assist billing. The evolving scope of practice and the support of organizations like AAPA and NCCPA provide additional resources to navigate the early stages of a PA career effectively in Menifee.
More salary data for Menifee, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Menifee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menifee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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