Physician Assistants Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a physician assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $154,540/year ($74.3/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $121K at the entry level to $217K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $140,619 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 46.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $155K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About physician assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level physician assistants (10th percentile) start around $121K. Mid-career wages sit at $155K.Top earners bring in $217K or more - a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Physician Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $163K | +22% | 440 |
| California | $161K | +21% | 13,570 |
| Washington | $157K | +18% | 3,310 |
| New York | $153K | +15% | 19,390 |
| Oregon | $149K | +12% | 1,930 |
| Rhode Island | $142K | +6% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $140K | +5% | 2,370 |
| New Mexico | $140K | +5% | 640 |
| Minnesota | $139K | +5% | 3,790 |
| Missouri | $139K | +4% | 1,650 |
| Delaware | $139K | +4% | 690 |
| Vermont | $139K | +4% | 410 |
| Connecticut | $138K | +4% | 3,700 |
| Massachusetts | $138K | +4% | 4,310 |
| New Hampshire | $137K | +3% | 1,060 |
Track physician assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physician assistants make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $154,540 a year - that works out to about $74.3 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $121,340, and experienced physician assistants can clear $216,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $155K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,823/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a physician assistants salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physician assistants salary is worth about $140,619 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physician assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.