Physician Assistant Salary in Poway, CA: $167,567 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Poway, CA earns a median $167,567/year (≈ $80.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Poway's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Poway, California, can expect a median annual salary of $167,567 in 2026, which sits significantly above the national median of $140,391. Salaries for PAs in this area range from $124,123 at the 10th percentile to $220,476 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied pay structure influenced by factors such as specialty and employment model. These figures are derived from the 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is notably elevated in Poway. In particular, surgical PAs often benefit from the first-assist billing model, allowing them to capture higher compensation, especially in specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. This dynamic supports a robust job market for PAs, underscoring Poway's potential as a favorable location for skilled practitioners.
About the Poway Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $124,123 | $59.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $154,663 | $74.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,567 | $80.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,543 | $94.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,476 | $106.00 |
Median Salary Position
19.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poway
In Poway, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,353 (2026 est.). At $167,567, the local median is 19.36% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Poway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Poway Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Poway median: $167,567/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,292 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +19.36% more |
Physician Assistants in Poway, CA earn a median of $167,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.36% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.60% below the California state average of $170,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poway has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poway, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,567 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,158 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,991
2025 BLS Actual
$162,183
2026 Current Est.
$167,567
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,991 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,189 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,542 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,567 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poway metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $133,991 (2019) to $162,183 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,140 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poway 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) | $124,123 – $154,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $154,663 – $167,567 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,567 – $195,543 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,543 – $220,476 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Poway
In Poway, the local job market strength is illustrated by the employment of eight physician assistants, suggesting a concentrated demand for their services despite a competitive environment. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the expense of living in the area can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for those taking on first-assist roles. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the complexities of specialty care, case volume, on-call requirements, and productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings in this market, PAs should consider refining their skill sets in high-demand specialties, negotiating contracts strategically, and pursuing opportunities in hospitals rather than private practice, given the variation in pay structures between W-2 employment and 1099 arrangements.
More salary data for Poway, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $162,183 for physician assistantsin the Poway 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 Poway 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