Physician Assistant Salary in Apple Valley, CA: $169,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Apple Valley, CA earns a median $169,135/year (≈ $81.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $149,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median salary for physician assistants in Apple Valley, California, is projected at $169,135, surpassing the national average of $140,391 by a notable margin of 20.47%. The local salary range stretches from $118,496 at the 10th percentile to $231,369 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diversified market where specialized skills lead to higher compensation. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, indicate the financial incentives available to PAs in this area. With a blend of surgical and primary care opportunities, the earnings potential provides professionals with incentives to pursue specialties that demand higher reimbursement rates.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $118,496 | $56.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $155,179 | $74.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,135 | $81.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,091 | $97.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,369 | $111.23 |
Median Salary Position
20.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,873 (2026 est.). At $169,135, the local median is 20.47% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $169,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,327 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +20.47% more |
Physician Assistants in Apple Valley, CA earn a median of $169,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.47% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.70% below the California state average of $170,327.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apple Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,135 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,545 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,244
2025 BLS Actual
$163,700
2026 Current Est.
$169,135
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $174,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,750 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $135,244 (2019) to $163,700 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,750 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,506 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $118,496 – $155,179 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $155,179 – $169,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,135 – $202,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,091 – $231,369 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Apple Valley
The job market for physician assistants in Apple Valley is relatively strong, with 19 professionals currently employed in various healthcare settings. The cost-of-living index is measured at 113.1, indicating a slightly higher cost of living compared to the national average. This means that while the salaries may appear robust, the purchasing power is somewhat tempered by local economic factors. Among the highest-paying employers are surgical specialty practices, particularly those focusing on orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where the demand for first-assist roles amplifies earnings. Factors influencing salary variance include specialty area, call coverage, and additional performance-based incentives such as RVU productivity bonuses. To optimize earnings, physician assistants should consider enhancing their expertise in surgical specialties, pursuing locum tenens opportunities, or negotiating their employment contracts to secure more advantageous pay structures.
More salary data for Apple Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Apple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Apple Valley?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $163,700 for physician assistantsin the Apple Valley metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apple Valley 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