Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in La Habra, CA: $79.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in La Habra, CA runs $79.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,402 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against La Habra's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,642 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in La Habra, CA, see a median hourly pay of $79.04 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $67.50. This pay structure greatly benefits both part-time workers, such as those taking on three-day weeks or per diem positions, by providing competitive wages in a range of work settings like emergency departments, ambulatory clinics, and surgical facilities. The hourly range for physician assistants varies considerably from $58.07 for entry-level positions to $111.53 for experienced professionals, allowing ample opportunities for growth in exciting medical roles. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, reflect a thriving job market for PAs, who are essential for various healthcare settings in La Habra.
About the La Habra 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) | $58.07 | $464.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.85 | $558.84 |
| Median (P50) | $79.04 | $632.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.43 | $771.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.53 | $892.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Habra
Based on $79.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.04/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Habra, CA can expect to earn approximately $164,403 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,848. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in La Habra.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Habra
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,161.59 | $13,700 | $164,403 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,896.96 | $8,220 | $98,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,264.64 | $5,480 | $65,761 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (La Habra) | $79.04 |
| 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 La Habra, CA earn a median of $164,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.10% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 3.40% below the California state average of $170,188.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.04/hr = $98,642/year (purchasing power: $87,216).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,403/year (purchasing power: $145,361).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$63.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in La Habra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $81.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in La Habra grew 21.0% from $63.20/hr (2019) to $76.50/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.66/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 La Habra 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 La Habra
The earning potential for part-time physician assistants can be substantial, especially when considering a typical 24-hour workweek. A PA working this schedule could take home a significant income annually, though this would vary compared to a full-time position. Meanwhile, per diem physician assistant pay in La Habra might range widely, with locum PAs billing fees between $75 and $130 per hour, while those specializing in high-demand areas like orthopedics can earn between $1,200 and $1,800 per day for surgical assistance. Different employers also present varied hourly rates; hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment with benefits, while specialty practices or urgent care centers might opt for 1099 arrangements. The trade-off becomes evident as PAs must weigh higher hourly rates against the benefits that come with traditional employment. Negotiating terms effectively can secure better pay and improved working conditions, a crucial skill for those entering the fast-evolving healthcare field in La Habra.
More salary data for La Habra, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in La Habra in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in La Habra?
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Related Pages
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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 La Habra. 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 La Habra 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