Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Santa Clarita, CA: $83.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Santa Clarita, CA runs $83.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $173,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Santa Clarita's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,367 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clarita, physician assistants earn a median hourly rate of $83.63, which significantly surpasses the national median of $67.50. This attractive pay scale positions PAs favorably in various healthcare settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. The hourly range extends from $60.38 for entry-level positions to an impressive $123.90 for more experienced professionals. Those working part-time, such as three days a week, can still achieve a solid income, while per-diem roles offer flexible options with varied earnings based on demand and specialty. Such compensation reflects the dynamic healthcare environment and cost of living in the area, estimated at 113.1, which is above the national average.
About the Santa Clarita 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) | $60.38 | $483.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.75 | $590.00 |
| Median (P50) | $83.63 | $669.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104.34 | $834.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.90 | $991.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clarita
Based on $83.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.63/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clarita, CA can expect to earn approximately $173,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,353. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clarita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clarita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,345.09 | $14,495 | $173,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,007.05 | $8,697 | $104,367 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,338.04 | $5,798 | $69,578 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Santa Clarita) | $83.63 |
| 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 Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $173,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.90% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.20% above the California state average of $170,204.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.63/hr = $104,367/year (purchasing power: $92,278).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $173,945/year (purchasing power: $153,797).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $75.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Santa Clarita grew 21.0% from $66.87/hr (2019) to $80.94/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.40/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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita
Part-time physician assistants, working around 24 hours weekly, may earn a notable income while enjoying the benefits of a flexible schedule. Even at a three-day workweek, this could translate to a comfortable take-home annual amount, allowing for a substantial quality of life in Santa Clarita. Per diem opportunities also abound, with locum PAs billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on the specialty, while orthopedic PAs can command between $1,200 and $1,800 for daily coverage in surgical settings. Employers vary widely across the region, from hospital systems offering stable W-2 positions to specialty practices and 1099 arrangements with higher pay but fewer benefits. In negotiating wages, physician assistants should balance hourly compensation against the total benefits package and consider the security offered by larger hospital systems versus the higher per diem rates available through locum agencies. Insightful negotiation can lead to favorable terms, aligning remuneration with personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Santa Clarita. 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 Santa Clarita 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