Physician Assistant Salary in Corona, CA: $173,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Corona, CA earns a median $173,501/year (≈ $83.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Corona's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Corona, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $173,501, significantly higher than the national median of $140,391. The salary range spans from $120,499 at the 10th percentile to as much as $255,170 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price parity adjustments, reflect the local job market's inclination towards surgical specialties, which typically offer higher compensation than primary care roles. The competitive salary structure here indicates that Corona provides ample opportunities for physician assistants, particularly for those willing to specialize in lucrative fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery.
About the Corona Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,499 | $57.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $148,447 | $71.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,501 | $83.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $206,493 | $99.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $255,170 | $122.68 |
Median Salary Position
23.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corona
In Corona, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,671 (2026 est.). At $173,501, the local median is 23.58% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Corona Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Corona median: $173,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,266 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +23.58% more |
Physician Assistants in Corona, CA earn a median of $173,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.58% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.90% above the California state average of $170,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corona has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corona, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,501 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,405 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$138,735
2025 BLS Actual
$167,926
2026 Current Est.
$173,501
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Corona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,735 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,192 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,684 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,652 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,926 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corona metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $138,735 (2019) to $167,926 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,526 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corona 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) | $120,499 – $148,447 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $148,447 – $173,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,501 – $206,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $206,493 – $255,170 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Corona
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 24 physician assistants employed in the Corona area. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the elevated expenses stress the importance of maximizing take-home pay in this region. While hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedic and cardiothoracic fields, tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, urgent care chains and primary care offices generally provide more moderate salaries. The variation in pay among different specialties stems from factors like case volume, call coverage shifts, and the structure of employment—hospital positions often come with benefits while 1099 contracts provide flexibility but may lack stability. To enhance earning potential in Corona, aspiring PAs should consider seeking roles in surgical practices and pursuing additional certifications that bolster their specialized skill set, aligning with optimal team practice models while effectively meeting the evolving healthcare demands.
More salary data for Corona, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Corona, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Corona?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Corona?
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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
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 $167,926 for physician assistantsin the Corona 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 Corona 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