Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Rialto, CA: $83.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Rialto, CA runs $83.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $173,391 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Rialto's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,032 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The physician assistant hourly pay in Rialto, California is projected to be $83.36 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $67.50. This robust hourly rate is beneficial for both part-time and per-diem workers within typical settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. On a part-time schedule of three days a week, PAs can expect a comfortable income while maintaining work-life balance. The hourly pay ranges broadly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $57.90 an hour and top earners reaching $117.36. These figures reflect the diverse earning potential within the profession, influenced by experience, specialty, and work setting.
About the Rialto 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) | $57.90 | $463.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.26 | $570.08 |
| Median (P50) | $83.36 | $666.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.95 | $807.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117.36 | $938.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rialto
Based on $83.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.36/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rialto, CA can expect to earn approximately $173,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,030. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rialto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rialto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,334.34 | $14,449 | $173,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,000.61 | $8,669 | $104,032 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,333.74 | $5,780 | $69,354 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Rialto) | $83.36 |
| 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 Rialto, CA earn a median of $173,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.51% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% above the California state average of $170,325.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.36/hr = $104,032/year (purchasing power: $91,982).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $173,386/year (purchasing power: $153,303).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rialto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Rialto grew 21.0% from $66.66/hr (2019) to $80.68/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.13/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 Rialto 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 Rialto
For those PAs opting for part-time work, it can be insightful to analyze how 24-hour work weeks impact annual income. When working three days a week, a physician assistant in Rialto may take home just over $103,000 annually, which can be an appealing option as opposed to full-time commitments. Per-diem work, where PAs can earn anywhere from $75 to $130 an hour, particularly in locum tenens roles, offers flexibility and higher compensation, especially in surgical and emergency medicine settings where daily pay rates can range from $900 to $1,800. In Rialto, hourly wages also differ depending on whether PAs are employed by hospital systems, private practices, or locum agencies; this variance allows for negotiation strategies where PAs may choose to accept lower hourly rates for included benefits like health insurance. Being well-informed about market rates, particularly for specialties like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, can enhance negotiation outcomes for prospective candidates considering the physician assistant hourly rate in CA.
More salary data for Rialto, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Rialto in 2026?
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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 Rialto. 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 Rialto 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