salary$165,160 a year$79 an hour · median pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$109,750per year
Top pay (top 10%)$214,570per year
Jobs in the area1,370people work this job
Can a physician assistant afford San Diego?
OK. Rent of $3,011 a month takes 21.9% of the median physician assistant salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Physician Assistant pay in similar cities
Other jobs in San Diego
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in San Diego, CA?
The median pay for a physician assistant in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area is $165,160 a year ($79 an hour). Most earn between $109,750 and $214,570.
Can a physician assistant afford to live in San Diego?
Typical rent of $3,011 a month takes 21.9% of the median physician assistant salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area.