Physician Assistant Salary in Rancho Cordova, CA: $168,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Rancho Cordova, CA earns a median $168,852/year (≈ $81.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Rancho Cordova's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $149,294 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $168,852 in 2026, the financial prospects for physician assistants in Rancho Cordova, California, are quite promising, especially in comparison to the national median of $140,391. This competitive compensation reflects the city's emphasis on the first-assist billing model, particularly prevalent among surgical practices. Salaries range significantly, with the lower end at $117,843 (10th percentile) and the upper end reaching $241,140 (90th percentile). These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for local economic conditions, suggesting a robust market for physician assistants operating in this region, particularly those who specialize in surgical fields.
About the Rancho Cordova Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117,843 | $56.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $154,579 | $74.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,852 | $81.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,412 | $96.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $241,140 | $115.94 |
Median Salary Position
20.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cordova
In Rancho Cordova, CA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,297 (2026 est.). At $168,852, the local median is 20.27% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cordova: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cordova Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Rancho Cordova median: $168,852/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cordova Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $170,213 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +20.27% more |
Physician Assistants in Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $168,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.27% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.80% below the California state average of $170,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cordova has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cordova, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,852 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,294 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,018
2025 BLS Actual
$163,426
2026 Current Est.
$168,852
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,018 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,782 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,167 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,555 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,426 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cordova metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $135,018 (2019) to $163,426 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,440 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cordova 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) | $117,843 – $154,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $154,579 – $168,852 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,852 – $201,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,412 – $241,140 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Rancho Cordova
The local job market demonstrates a solid presence of 20 employed physician assistants, indicating a stable workforce. However, the cost of living index of 113.1 in Rancho Cordova does influence take-home purchasing power, making effective financial planning essential. Organizations such as hospital systems, surgical specialty practices in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, and emergency departments typically offer the highest salaries. The variation in compensation often stems from specialty focus—surgical roles generally command greater pay due to higher revenue potential from first-assist arrangements, case volume, and associated RVU productivity bonuses. For those looking to maximize remuneration, seeking employment with established hospital systems might provide a more favorable W-2 structure versus the uncertainties of private practice or locum tenens positions.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Rancho Cordova, CA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Rancho Cordova?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Rancho Cordova?
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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 $163,426 for physician assistantsin the Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova 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