Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Indio, CA: $80.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Indio, CA runs $80.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $167,152 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Indio's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,292 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Indio, California, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $80.36, a notable figure that surpasses the national average hourly rate of $67.50. This competitive pay makes the profession attractive for part-time and per-diem workers across various settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. With an hourly range extending from $60.89 for entry-level positions to $113.35 for top earners, physician assistants can find flexible work arrangements that suit their lifestyle preferences. Given the projected figures for 2026, this hourly compensation reflects a well-established demand for skilled healthcare providers in the area, aligning well with the broader trends in physician assistant hourly pay in CA.
About the Indio Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60.89 | $487.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.59 | $580.74 |
| Median (P50) | $80.36 | $642.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.82 | $782.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113.35 | $906.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indio
Based on $80.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.36/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indio, CA can expect to earn approximately $167,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,435. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Indio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,214.49 | $13,929 | $167,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,928.70 | $8,358 | $100,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,285.80 | $5,572 | $66,861 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Indio) | $80.36 |
| 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 Indio, CA earn a median of $167,152 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.06% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% below the California state average of $170,216.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.36/hr = $100,292/year (purchasing power: $88,676).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,154/year (purchasing power: $147,793).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Indio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $72.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Indio grew 21.0% from $64.26/hr (2019) to $77.78/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.03/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 Indio 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 Indio
When considering part-time work schedules, a physician assistant in Indio working three days a week at 24 hours can take home an annual income of approximately $62,597, considerably lower than a full-time counterpart but still a solid earning potential. The reality of per diem and locum tenens positions further highlights the financial landscape, with rates typically ranging from $75 to $130 per hour depending on the specialty; orthopedic surgical positions can command daily earnings of $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage. Hourly rates also vary widely based on the type of employer—hospital systems may offer stable W-2 positions, whereas surgical specialties or urgent care centers could provide enticing 1099 pay without benefits. This trade-off between securing health insurance and commanding higher pay is a critical consideration for many physician assistants. Negotiation skillfully can help maximize compensation, particularly in a market like Indio where the demand for healthcare talent is robust.
More salary data for Indio, 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 Indio. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Indio 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