Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $250,215 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Moreno Valley, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $250,215/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Moreno Valley's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $221,233 in average-cost America. The 46% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Compensation for seasoned physician assistants in Moreno Valley, CA, indicates a promising trajectory for those who achieve senior-level status. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to reach $171,830, but the top earners can command significantly more, with a salary range that peaks at $250,215. This top tier represents an expansive gap compared to the median, showcasing an "experience premium" that benefits those who develop specialized skills and take on greater responsibilities. Experienced professionals who aspire to ascend to these higher echelons must focus on cultivating expertise in specialty areas and seek advanced credentials that may open doors to lucrative opportunities, particularly in competitive sectors like surgical assistance or emergency medicine.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Moreno Valley earn between $215,689 and $250,215 per year (2026 est.). This $128,651 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Moreno Valley median of $171,830 sits 22.39% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Moreno Valley | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $171,830 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,689 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $250,215 | $196,597 |
In Moreno Valley, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 45.62% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Moreno Valley
Advanced Certifications in California
CA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $171,830 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Moreno Valley employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Moreno Valley command premium compensation, often reaching the $215,689–$250,215 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMoreno Valley ranks #22 of 158 California cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $250,215).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Moreno Valley ($250,215) is 5.08% above the California average P90 ($238,110).
2019 BLS Actual
$199,971
2025 BLS Actual
$242,175
2026 Current Est.
$250,215
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $199,971 | Actual |
| 2020 | $206,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $209,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $213,971 | Actual |
| 2023 | $217,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $251,493 | Actual |
| 2025 | $242,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $250,215 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $258,522 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Moreno Valley saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $199,971 in 2019 to $242,175 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 $258,522 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley
Within Moreno Valley, senior physician assistants in subspecialties such as orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and emergency medicine often enjoy salaries that reflect their advanced skills, with compensation varying across different employer types. For instance, working for large hospital systems as a W-2 employee typically contrasts with locum tenens positions, which often engage professionals on a 1099 basis, impacting both salary structure and benefits. Leadership roles, such as becoming a lead PA or a PA residency director, can further elevate earning potential, as does obtaining advanced certifications from the NCCPA or relevant graduate degrees accredited by ARC-PA. Additionally, factors like call coverage commitments, case volumes for first-assisting, and RVU productivity bonuses contribute substantially to overall earnings, shaping the financial landscape for senior physician assistants in this growing market.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Moreno Valley in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Moreno Valley?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Moreno Valley?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Moreno Valley?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Moreno Valley?
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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 $242,175 for physician assistants in the Moreno Valley 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
Salary data for Moreno Valley 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