Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Chico, CA: $81.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Chico, CA runs $81.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,251 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Chico's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.2, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $80.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,149 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Chico, California, earn a median hourly wage of $81.85, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $67.50. This higher rate reflects the region's demand for skilled healthcare professionals across various settings, including operating rooms, hospitals, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For those considering part-time or per-diem work, operating just three days a week typically allows for a substantial income, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $64.16 per hour and top earners reaching around $100.40. Such figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and are indicative of the competitive physician assistant hourly pay in Chico.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64.16 | $513.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.71 | $541.64 |
| Median (P50) | $81.85 | $654.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.89 | $719.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.40 | $803.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chico
Based on $81.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.85/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chico, CA can expect to earn approximately $170,248 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,220. With a cost-of-living index of 101.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chico.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chico
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,274.00 | $14,187 | $170,248 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,964.40 | $8,512 | $102,149 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,309.60 | $5,675 | $68,099 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Chico) | $81.85 |
| 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 Chico, CA earn a median of $170,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.27% higher than the national median of $140,391.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.85/hr = $102,149/year (purchasing power: $100,941).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,248/year (purchasing power: $168,234).
CoL index: 101.197 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$69.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Chico grew 14.3% from $69.32/hr (2019) to $79.22/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.57/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 Chico 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 Chico
Exploring the financial implications for part-time physician assistants reveals varied earning potential. Working just 24 hours a week, a physician assistant can expect to take home around $101,891 annually, while full-time counterparts would see a higher total. Per diem physician assistant pay in Chico can range widely; for instance, locum tenens professionals might bill between $75 and $130 an hour, while those providing orthopedic surgical assistance can earn up to $1,800 per day during operating room coverage. The choice of employment type, whether in hospital systems, specialty practices, or as independent contractors, impacts hourly rates and benefits packages. Some may opt for positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance and stability. Negotiating hourly wages effectively involves understanding the local job market, showcasing relevant experience, and considering the financial trade-offs associated with benefits versus higher pay without them.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Chico in 2026?
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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 Chico. 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