Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Lompoc, CA: $81.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Lompoc, CA runs $81.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,479 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Lompoc's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,092 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Lompoc, California can expect a robust median hourly pay of $81.00, significantly above the national hourly median of $67.50. This favorable compensation allows for a comfortable lifestyle, particularly for those working part-time or in per-diem roles across various healthcare settings, including the operating room, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics. With hourly rates ranging from $60.74 for entry-level positions to $107.24 for the top earners, the spectrum reflects the diverse responsibilities PAs assume and their specialized skills. As these estimates are derived from annual salary data, they provide insight into what PAs can anticipate in terms of earnings relative to their hours worked.
About the Lompoc 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) | $60.74 | $485.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.17 | $577.35 |
| Median (P50) | $81.00 | $648.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95.18 | $761.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.24 | $857.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lompoc
Based on $81.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.00/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lompoc, CA can expect to earn approximately $168,486 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,203. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lompoc.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lompoc
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,240.12 | $14,040 | $168,486 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,944.07 | $8,424 | $101,092 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,296.05 | $5,616 | $67,394 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Lompoc) | $81.00 |
| 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 Lompoc, CA earn a median of $168,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.01% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.00% below the California state average of $170,181.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.00/hr = $101,092/year (purchasing power: $89,382).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,486/year (purchasing power: $148,971).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lompoc (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $72.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $83.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Lompoc grew 21.0% from $64.77/hr (2019) to $78.40/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.69/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 Lompoc 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 Lompoc
For those considering a part-time role, working three days a week, or 24 hours, can yield an annual income that would still be quite competitive against full-timers, although the exact amount depends on the number of shifts and pay structure. Per diem physician assistants in Lompoc typically command hourly rates between $75 and $130, depending on the specialty; surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics, can achieve impressive fees of $1,200 to $1,800 for daily assignments. When examining employer types, hourly rates might differ—for example, larger hospital systems may offer W-2 positions with benefits, while specialty practices or locum agencies typically operate on a 1099 basis, often providing higher hourly pay but lacking those benefits. Thus, many physician assistants face a trade-off, weighing the security of benefits against the flexibility and potential higher pay of per diem or contract work. Negotiation is key, and understanding the local market can empower PAs to advocate effectively for their worth in the evolving healthcare sector of Lompoc, CA.
More salary data for Lompoc, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Lompoc in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Lompoc?
Are physician assistants in Lompoc paid hourly or salary?
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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 Lompoc. 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 Lompoc 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