Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $98.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Bakersfield, CA runs $98.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $204,646 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $97.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $122,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, California, the median hourly pay for physician assistants is projected to be $98.39 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $67.50. This higher pay reflects the demand for PAs in critical healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For part-time professionals working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, this hourly rate translates into a robust income, especially when considering the full range of hourly earnings stretching from $62.68 for entry-level positions to $109.27 for experienced top earners. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data indicate that physician assistants in Bakersfield are well-compensated for their expertise, making it an attractive option for both full-time and per-diem workers in the healthcare field.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.68 | $501.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77.78 | $622.23 |
| Median (P50) | $98.39 | $787.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109.27 | $874.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.27 | $874.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $98.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $98.39/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $204,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $118,070. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,935.67 | $17,055 | $204,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,361.40 | $10,233 | $122,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,574.27 | $6,822 | $81,862 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Bakersfield) | $98.39 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $204,646 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.77% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 20.20% above the California state average of $170,255.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $98.39/hr = $122,793/year (purchasing power: $121,714).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $204,655/year (purchasing power: $202,857).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$95.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$98.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+71.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $95.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Bakersfield grew 60.5% from $59.35/hr (2019) to $95.23/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $101.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Bakersfield
Considering the earning potential for part-time PAs in Bakersfield, those working a 3-day week at the median rate would take home approximately $153,141 annually. For per diem physician assistants, hourly pay can vary widely. Locum PAs might bill between $75 and $130 per hour, while orthopedic surgical PAs can earn between $1,200 and $1,800 for a single day of operating room coverage. In emergency medicine, a 12-hour shift can yield anywhere from $900 to $1,400. Employers in Bakersfield range from hospital systems to specialty practices, with hourly rates often dictated by the specific employer type and job responsibilities. Many PAs opt for lower hourly wages with benefits from W-2 positions in large health systems, while others may choose to work as 1099 contractors to avoid taxation and potentially net higher pay, complicating personal financial decisions. Negotiating hourly rates in this local market can be crucial; therefore, it’s wise for PAs to assess their experience, specialty, and the total compensation package when evaluating job offers.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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