PermanentPosted 3 days ago
Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner - Neuroscience - Sharp Grossmont Hospital - FT - 10H Days
Sharp HealthCare · La Mesa, CA
$80.44–$103.79/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
Physician Assistant jobs in El Cajon, CA
Pay for physician assistants in the El Cajon area centers on $73.81 per hour, or about $153,530 a year. The lower quarter earns under $58.72 and the upper quarter over $82.72. The CMS hospital directory lists 18 hospitals in the El Cajon metro area. That ranks 21st of 329 U.S. metro areas for physician assistant pay, and 133rd of 301 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near El Cajon and what they pay.
- $73.81median pay per hour, San Diego
- $59–$83typical range per hour
- 1,100physician assistants employed in the metro area
- 7open roles with published pay in the metro area
Open Physician Assistant roles near El Cajon
Roles in other cities of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area.
PermanentPosted 3 days ago
Physician Assistant (EVH) - Cardiac Programs - Sharp Grossmont Hospital - FT - 10Hr Days
Sharp HealthCare · La Mesa, CA
$80.44–$103.79/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
For youUpdated weekly
50+ more Physician Assistant roles for you in El Cajon, CA
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PermanentPosted 3 days ago
Physician Assistant (EVH) - Cardiac Programs - Sharp Grossmont Hospital - FT - Days
Sharp HealthCare · La Mesa, CA
$80.44–$103.79/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
RemotePosted 8 days ago
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant, Sign-on Bonus Available, 4 days in clinic, 1 day remote
One Medical · Remote · CA hiring
$138k–$165k/ year
PermanentPosted 22 days ago
Physician Assistant
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · San Diego, CA
$102k–$133k/ year
Per diemPosted 27 days ago
Physician Assistant (EVH) - Cardiac Programs - Sharp Grossmont Hospital - Per Diem- 10Hr Days
Sharp Healthcare · La Mesa, CA
$88.48–$114.16/ hour
Top 25% pay
PermanentPosted 27 days ago
Physician Assistant (EVH) - Cardiac Programs - Sharp Grossmont Hospital - FT - Days
Sharp Healthcare · La Mesa, CA
$80.44–$103.79/ hour
Top 25% pay
Get the El Cajon Physician Assistant pay report
Named employers near El Cajon, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportWho is hiring physician assistants near El Cajon
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp HealthCare | 3 | $92.12 |
| Sharp Healthcare | 2 | $96.72 |
| One Medical | 1 | $72.64 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 1 | $56.53 |
Physician Assistant pay in El Cajon, CA
The metro median is 5% below the California statewide median of $77.44 per hour. Nationally the median is $64.07 per hour. BLS counts about 1,100 physician assistants employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.71).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $46.09 | $95,870 | 28% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $58.72 | $122,140 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Median | $73.81 | $153,530 | 15% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $82.72 | $172,060 | 29% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $102.83 | $213,890 | 60% above U.S. median |
How El Cajon ranks
- 21st of 329 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 133rd of 301 after adjusting for local prices
- 11th of 21 California metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in El Cajon
- Overall prices in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad run 12% above the U.S. average (index 111.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 79% above the U.S. average (index 179.3).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $73.81 median hour buys what $65.97 buys at the national price level, 3% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Estimate your El Cajon paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$2,657
- Per year: $132,858
- Per month: $11,072
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in El Cajon
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $205 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $86 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $2,037 |
| 13-week assignment | $26,481 |
Travel physician assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area
CMS lists 18 hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area, 10 of the 13 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of physician assistants.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr San Diego, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Va San Diego Healthcare System San Diego, CA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Grossmont Hospital La Mesa, CA | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos San Marcos, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas Encinitas, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Chula Vista, CA | Acute care | For-profit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Sharp Coronado Hospital And Hlthcr Ctr Coronado, CA | Acute care | For-profit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in San Diego County
HRSA lists 25 active primary care shortage designations that include San Diego County (4 population-group, 21 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 20 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Physician Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee, CA | 4 mi | $73.81/hr | 59,104 |
| La Mesa, CA | 4 mi | $73.81/hr | 60,767 |
| Temecula, CA | 49 mi | $80.16/hr | 112,431 |
Physician Assistant jobs in California · Physician Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in California
Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in El Cajon
El Cajon city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do physician assistants make in El Cajon, CA?
Physician Assistants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area have a median pay of $73.81 per hour, about $153,530 a year. The middle half earn between $58.72 and $82.72 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is El Cajon a good place for physician assistants once cost of living is counted?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks 133rd of 301 metro areas for physician assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 21st of 329 before adjusting. Overall prices run 12% above the U.S. average.
Who is hiring physician assistants in El Cajon?
We list 7 open roles with published pay from 4 employers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near El Cajon.
Do I need a California license to work in El Cajon as a physician assistant?
Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is El Cajon in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 25 active primary care shortage designations that include San Diego County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in El Cajon?
The federal per diem benchmark in El Cajon is $205 a night for lodging and $86 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,037 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place physician assistants in El Cajon?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in El Cajon and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near El Cajon.
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What do employers near El Cajon pay physician assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
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230+ Physician Assistant roles in California, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your PA pay reportEl Cajon, CA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Stanford Children's HealthPALO ALTO, CA · 4 postings$104.30/ hr$94–$115
- Valley Children's HealthcareMadera, CA · 3 postings$103.69/ hr$75–$123
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 4 postings$100.70/ hr$86–$108
- Sharp HealthcareLa Mesa, CA · 2 postings$96.72/ hr$80–$114
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$71Median$86.92High$108
62 PA postings with published pay in California, 58 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 62 PA roles
- Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant - Primary Care (Full time) Lakewood, CAPermanent$131k–$160k/ year
- Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Sign-On Bonus Available - 4 days in clinic, 1 day remoteRemote$165k–$197k/ year
+ 60 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.