Physician Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Physician Assistants in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $161,890 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $108,987 take-home, or $9,082 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physician assistant salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,588
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,037
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,347
- California income tax$10,826
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,105
- Take-home pay$108,987
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physician Assistant pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,570 | $47.87 | $72,553 | $6,046 |
| 25th percentile | $134,550 | $64.69 | $93,198 | $7,767 |
| Median (50th) | $161,890 | $77.83 | $108,987 | $9,082 |
| 75th percentile | $204,970 | $98.54 | $135,090 | $11,258 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,580 | $106.05 | $144,716 | $12,060 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $161,890 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physician assistant's $108,987 take-home pay has the buying power of $95,968 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physician Assistant jobs are less concentrated in Los Angeles, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.60), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for physician assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #7 of 12 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $137,240 | $105,070 | $106,530 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $167,650 | $117,004 | $103,945 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $134,900 | $103,470 | $100,369 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $125,230 | $93,016 | $98,252 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $135,640 | $99,812 | $97,326 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $134,650 | $100,142 | $96,928 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $161,890 | $108,987 | $95,968 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $131,830 | $96,020 | $95,734 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 12 metros →
About the job: physician assistants
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +21.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median physician assistant salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $161,890 a year, or about $77.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $134,550 and $204,970.
What is a physician assistant’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $161,890 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $108,987 a year ($9,082 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $12,931 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $135,880. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $95,968 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #7 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physician assistant afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median physician assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Registered Nurse — $135,560
- Dental Hygienist — $122,980
- Occupational Therapist — $122,040
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