Physician Assistant Salary in Petaluma, CA: $176,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Petaluma, CA earns a median $176,779/year (≈ $84.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Petaluma's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $156,303 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Petaluma, California, reaches a notable median of $176,779, highlighting the area's competitive compensation structure. The salary range stretches from $134,305 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $248,897 for those in the 90th percentile. This reflects the landscape of specialties within the profession, where surgical PAs commonly see the highest earnings due to the nature of their billing methods and responsibilities. Given the adjustments based on local cost factors, these figures suggest that PAs in Petaluma enjoy pay that outstrips the national average by nearly 26%, indicating a robust market for physician assistant roles tailored to both primary and surgical care settings.
About the Petaluma Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $134,305 | $64.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $159,427 | $76.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,779 | $84.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $214,924 | $103.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,897 | $119.67 |
Median Salary Position
25.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Petaluma
In Petaluma, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,592 (2026 est.). At $176,779, the local median is 25.92% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Petaluma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Petaluma Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Petaluma median: $176,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Petaluma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,308 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +25.92% more |
Physician Assistants in Petaluma, CA earn a median of $176,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.92% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 3.80% above the California state average of $170,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Petaluma has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Petaluma, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,779 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,303 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$141,357
2025 BLS Actual
$171,099
2026 Current Est.
$176,779
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Petaluma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,357 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,298 | Actual |
| 2021 | $153,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $158,671 | Actual |
| 2023 | $163,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,893 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Petaluma metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $141,357 (2019) to $171,099 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $182,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,292 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Petaluma 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) | $134,305 – $159,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $159,427 – $176,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,779 – $214,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $214,924 – $248,897 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Petaluma
The market demonstrates a steady demand with only 12 physician assistants currently employed in Petaluma, making the opportunity for those entering the field both promising and competitive. The elevated cost of living index at 113.1 signals that while salaries are higher, the take-home purchasing power may be affected compared to other regions. In terms of the highest-paying positions, surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery, generally offer superior compensation, particularly due to first-assist case volume and the complexities of call coverage. To maximize earnings, PAs should consider roles within hospital systems or urgent care chains that offer stability and benefits, while also being open to the locum tenens market. Staying informed about RVU productivity bonuses can also be a strategic advantage, potentially elevating physician assistant pay in Petaluma, CA.
More salary data for Petaluma, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Petaluma, CA in 2026?
Is Petaluma, CA a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Petaluma?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Petaluma?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Petaluma?
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
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 $171,099 for physician assistantsin the Petaluma 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 Petaluma 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