Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Chico, CA: $208,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Chico, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $208,820/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Chico's price premium (BEA RPP 101.2, 1% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $206,350 in average-cost America. The 23% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, experienced physician assistants (PAs) are well-positioned for substantial earnings, particularly at the senior level. The top earners in this field can expect to make around $208,820 in 2026, with a significant number within the 75th percentile earning approximately $186,978. This attractive compensation reflects an experience premium that enhances the median annual salary of $170,251 by a notable margin. Achieving top-tier pay in Chico requires extensive expertise, possibly including years of specialized training, advanced certifications, and demonstrated leadership in clinical settings. As the demand for skilled healthcare providers continues to rise, particularly in specialized fields, adept PAs who cultivate their specialties can unlock lucrative salary potential that surpasses even the national averages by 21.27%.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Chico earn between $186,978 and $208,820 per year (2026 est.). This $75,362 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Chico median of $170,251 sits 21.27% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Chico | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $170,251 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,978 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $208,820 | $196,597 |
In Chico, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 22.65% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Chico
Advanced Certifications in California
CA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $170,251 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Chico employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Chico command premium compensation, often reaching the $186,978–$208,820 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Chico metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Chico with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in California who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Chico
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedChico ranks #152 of 158 California cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $208,820).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Chico ($208,820) is 12.3% below the California average P90 ($238,110).
2019 BLS Actual
$163,760
2025 BLS Actual
$202,110
2026 Current Est.
$208,820
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $163,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $165,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $162,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $162,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $173,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $185,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $202,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $208,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $215,753 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Chico saw their compensation grow 23.4% from $163,760 in 2019 to $202,110 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $215,753 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Chico
Senior physician assistants in Chico can capitalize on their experience by pursuing high-demand specializations, such as surgical practices in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, and critical care. Compensation strategies vary significantly across different employer types, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions that provide benefits and retirement plans, while surgical specialty practices may lean toward performance-based pay. Those looking to advance their careers can consider leadership roles such as lead PA or hospital chief PA, which often come with increased responsibilities and higher salaries. In addition to obtaining a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, advanced credentials, including NCCPA certification and DEA registration, can enhance earning potential. Non-salary factors like first-assist case volume and RVU productivity bonuses also play a substantial role in overall compensation, making the landscape for senior physician assistant pay in CA dynamic and rewarding.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Chico in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Chico?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Chico?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Chico?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Chico?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $202,110 for physician assistants in the Chico metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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