Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Poway, CA: $80.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Poway, CA runs $80.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $167,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Poway's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,537 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Poway, California, are expected to earn a median hourly rate of $80.56, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $67.50. This hourly rate presents attractive opportunities for part-time workers or those considering per-diem positions in various clinical environments, such as operating rooms, hospital floors, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For those in entry-level roles, hourly pay could start at approximately $59.68, while experienced practitioners in specialized fields might see rates reach up to $106.00. Such a range reflects the diverse landscape of healthcare roles in Poway, with the hourly data derived from projected annual salaries.
About the Poway 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) | $59.68 | $477.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74.36 | $594.88 |
| Median (P50) | $80.56 | $644.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.01 | $752.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.00 | $847.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Poway
Based on $80.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.56/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Poway, CA can expect to earn approximately $167,562 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,670. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Poway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Poway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,222.34 | $13,963 | $167,562 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,933.41 | $8,378 | $100,537 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,288.94 | $5,585 | $67,025 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Poway) | $80.56 |
| 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 Poway, CA earn a median of $167,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.36% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.60% below the California state average of $170,292.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.56/hr = $100,537/year (purchasing power: $88,892).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,562/year (purchasing power: $148,154).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $72.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Poway grew 21.0% from $64.42/hr (2019) to $77.97/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.23/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 Poway 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 Poway
Considering the dynamics of part-time work, a physician assistant in Poway working three days a week (about 24 hours) could expect to take home close to $100,000 annually, representing substantial earnings compared to full-time peers. Meanwhile, per-diem physician assistants can realize earnings ranging from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on specialty. Particularly lucrative opportunities arise in surgical settings, where orthopedic PAs can command between $1,200 and $1,800 per day for operating room coverage; similarly, emergency medicine shifts can yield $900 to $1,400 for 12 hours of work. Variations in hourly pay exist across employer types in Poway, with different arrangements providing benefits like health insurance or higher pay rates without benefits. Negotiating an hourly rate often hinges on understanding the trade-offs between pay and benefits, making it essential for PAs to align their aspirations with their employment structure and work environment.
More salary data for Poway, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Poway in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Poway?
Are physician assistants in Poway paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Poway?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Poway?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Poway. 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 Poway 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