Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Mission Viejo, CA: $82.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Mission Viejo, CA runs $82.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,831 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Mission Viejo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,103 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mission Viejo, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $82.61 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $67.50 per hour. This higher rate reflects the local demand for qualified PAs in various settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory care clinics. For part-time physician assistants working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, the pay translates into a substantial income, particularly in comparison to positions in less populous areas. The hourly pay ranges from $59.99 for entry-level roles to $112.85 for those at the top of their field, indicating a robust opportunity for both experienced professionals and newcomers to the industry. It’s worth noting that these hourly estimates are derived from projected annual salary data and demonstrate the competitive landscape for physician assistants in Mission Viejo.
About the Mission Viejo 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) | $59.99 | $479.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.43 | $579.42 |
| Median (P50) | $82.61 | $660.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98.36 | $786.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.85 | $902.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mission Viejo
Based on $82.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.61/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mission Viejo, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,138. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mission Viejo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mission Viejo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,304.59 | $14,320 | $171,839 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,982.75 | $8,592 | $103,103 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,321.83 | $5,728 | $68,735 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Mission Viejo) | $82.61 |
| 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 Mission Viejo, CA earn a median of $171,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.39% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% above the California state average of $170,299.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.61/hr = $103,103/year (purchasing power: $91,161).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,839/year (purchasing power: $151,935).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Mission Viejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Mission Viejo grew 21.0% from $66.06/hr (2019) to $79.96/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.36/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 Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo
Analyzing the potential earnings as a part-time physician assistant reveals varied outcomes when contrasting part-time and full-time work. A PA working three days a week could earn around $103,755 annually, while a full-time counterpart likely sees their earnings increase considerably, reflecting the full-time burden of their responsibilities. Locum and per-diem positions present even higher hourly pay rates; specialties like orthopedic surgery can yield between $75 to $130 per hour in locum settings, with some surgical PAs billing as much as $1,800 per day. Different employer types in Mission Viejo, such as hospitals, specialty practices, and urgent care facilities, influence pay scales as well. PAs in hospital systems may seek the stability of W-2 employment, often with benefits, while independent or agency roles (1099) may offer higher pay but without such perks. For those negotiating their salary, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of steady employment against the higher pay for freelance work — a common consideration in the industry landscape today.
More salary data for Mission Viejo, 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 Mission Viejo. 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 Mission Viejo 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