Physician Assistant Jobs California — Hiring Now

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Browse Physician Assistant jobs California with Opportunity Healthcare and compare staff and locum tenens jobs in hospitals, medical groups, and community clinic settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), California employs about 12,880 Physician Assistants with an annual mean wage of $153,960, keeping the state well above national pay averages. Our recruiters go beyond job titles to review practice agreements, onboarding support, call requirements, and... experience expectations before we recommend a job. Whether you are targeting physician assistant jobs Sacramento CA, physician assistant jobs Riverside CA, or PA jobs in Fresno and Bakersfield, we keep listings current so you are not wasting time on outdated openings. Our service is free for PAs, so you can focus on comparing real California Physician Assistant jobs near you that match your skills, risk tolerance, and preferred lifestyle.

PA Jobs in California: Compare Cities and Pay

Browse Physician Assistant jobs in California by pay, specialty, and city, including Sacramento, Riverside, Fresno, and Bakersfield.

8 Open PA California Jobs – Updated September 4th

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Salary for PA Jobs California

$138,732/yr
PA Avg. Salary

Top States for Highest-Paying Jobs

Based on our current jobs, the top 5 states with the highest paying jobs are:
Advanced practice provider smiling during a patient consultation in a medical office

Physician Assistant Jobs in California: High Demand, High Reward

California Physician Assistant jobs mirror the primary care shortages that run from Northern California through the Central Valley and down to the Inland Empire. According to California’s Primary Care Shortage Areas report, 268 Medical Service Study Areas are designated as primary care shortage areas, covering about 14.7 million people – 38% of the state’s population. In many of these MSSAs, PAs are the backbone of safety-net clinics, rural hospitals, and community health centers, especially around PA jobs Sacramento CA, physician assistant jobs in Riverside CA, and PA jobs in Bakersfield CA. Because the need is so great, employers often offer incentives like relocation assistance, retention bonuses, and schedule flexibility. The California State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) can provide eligible clinicians with up to $50,000 in loan repayment for multi-year service in approved shortage areas, so the right PA job in California can deliver both community impact and financial reward.

PA Jobs in California: Modern Practice & Autonomy

PA jobs in California​ operate under a modern practice model created by Senate Bill 697 and newer legislation like Assembly Bill 1501. SB 697 replaced the old Delegation of Services Agreements with a Practice Agreement model where one or more physicians can collaborate with a PA and be available by phone or other electronic communication instead of always being on site. The Physician Assistant Practice Act is now implemented through written practice agreements that define authorized services, supervision expectations, and prescribing authority, including furnishing controlled substances under physician oversight. Assembly Bill 1501 (AB 1501) increases the physician-to-PA ratio from 1:4 to 1:8 in many settings, giving larger groups more flexibility in how they staff PAs and more confidence in PA autonomy. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of physician assistants to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, so there will be long-term demand for well-structured PA jobs in California.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants reviewing information together on a tablet in a clinical setting.

Physician Assistant Jobs California — FAQs

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What is the average salary for PAs in California?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), California has about 12,880 PAs with an annual mean wage of $153,960. Actual offers vary by specialty, setting, and region, with higher pay in high-cost metro areas and hard-to-staff communities that add shift differentials, bonuses, or loan-repayment incentives.
Are PA jobs in California going to be in high demand?
Yes. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of physician assistants to grow about 20% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. With California’s documented primary care shortages, that trend means ongoing demand for PA jobs California in primary care, hospital medicine, urgent care, and specialty practices, including permanent and locum tenens positions.
How did SB 697 change practice agreements and supervision for PAs?
SB 697 updated California PA law by replacing older Delegation of Services Agreements with written Practice Agreements. These documents define your authorized services, supervision structure, and prescribing authority. Collaborating physicians don’t have to be on site but must be available by phone or other electronic communication when you are seeing patients, allowing for more flexible team-based care.
What are the basic requirements to work as a PA in California?
To work as a PA in California you must graduate from an accredited PA program, pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), and get a license from the Physician Assistant Board of California. Licensure requires background checks, application fees, and ongoing continuing education to maintain active
Does Opportunity Healthcare charge me to find a PA job in California?
No. Our services are free for PAs. Opportunity Healthcare is paid by the hiring facilities, so you can compare California PA jobs with full transparency around salary, schedule, benefits, and contract terms with no cost to you.
Do California PA jobs qualify for loan repayment programs?
Many positions in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas qualify for federal programs like the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. The California State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) listed in the state’s grants portal can also offer eligible clinicians up to $50,000 in loan repayment for multi-year service commitments in approved shortage areas, particularly in MSSAs with documented primary care gaps.
Are there PA jobs in both northern and southern California?
Yes. We have PA jobs in Northern California, including Sacramento and surrounding areas, and PA jobs in Southern California across Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Inland Empire. Opportunity Healthcare helps you compare city mix, call expectations, and pay so you can choose the region that’s right for you.

Physician Assistant Jobs California - Resources