California · Ortho PA placement
Orthopedic PA jobs and hiring in the California Central Coast
In short
FirstAssistPA places orthopedic PAs on California's Central Coast, including San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts. The area has no adult Level I trauma center; Natividad in Salinas and Marian Regional in Santa Maria are Level II. Your first placement is free.
Hiring an ortho PA in the California Central Coast
The Central Coast is a string of smaller cities with long drives between them. Practices here compete for PAs with the Bay Area and Los Angeles, so searches often need to reach PAs who want the lifestyle and are willing to relocate.
With no Level I trauma center on the coast between the Bay Area and Santa Barbara, the most serious trauma is transferred out. Ortho call here is usually at a Level II or III hospital.
What to plan for
- A relocation-minded search, and time for a California license if needed.
- Housing or a stipend for contract roles.
- Which hospital call is at, and privileges there.
- Contract PAs in California should be W-2: AB 5's ABC test applies to PAs, and the Labor Code exemption covers physicians, not PAs.
Trauma centers in the area
There's no adult Level I trauma center on the Central Coast. These are the Level II and III centers verified by the American College of Surgeons.
| Hospital | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Natividad Medical Center | Salinas | Level II |
| Marian Regional Medical Center | Santa Maria | Level II |
| Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center | San Luis Obispo | Level III |
Source: American College of Surgeons, Find a Hospital (verified trauma centers), checked September 24, 2026. Designations change; confirm with the hospital.
California PA rules, in brief
A high-level summary for planning a hire, not legal advice. Each point links to its source.
- PAs practice under a written practice agreement with one or more physicians. The practice agreement is where you authorize first and second assist. BPC §3501
- Since January 1, 2026, a physician may supervise up to eight PAs at once, up from four (AB 1501). BPC §3516
- Chart co-signature is optional unless the practice agreement requires it. In a hospital, the supervising physician must hold privileges there. BPC §3502
- California is not in the PA Licensure Compact and has no general temporary license, so an out-of-state PA needs a full California license first. PA Board
- AB 5's ABC test covers PAs (Labor Code 2783(b) exempts physicians, not PAs), so contract PAs should be W-2. Labor Code §2783
What PAs are paid in the California Central Coast
Government data for all physician assistants, not ortho specifically. Use it as an anchor, then adjust for first assist, call and experience. The U.S. median was $135,880 (May 2025).
| Area | Median | Mean | 10th to 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California, statewide | $165,650$79.64/hr | $169,110 | $99,380 to $225,190 |
We haven't verified metro-level figures for San Luis Obispo, Monterey or Santa Cruz yet, so this shows California as a whole.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, Physician Assistants (29-1071), May 2025 estimates.
For practices and for PAs
Hiring in the Central Coast?
Permanent, 3 to 6 month contract (locum) or per diem. Your first placement is free, and if you aren't happy with the PA we place, we find a replacement at no cost.
Ortho PA looking in the Central Coast?
Free, ortho-only matching. We negotiate rate, stipend and schedule, and never send your CV without asking.
Questions about the Central Coast
Do you place orthopedic PAs in San Luis Obispo and Monterey?
Yes. We place permanent and 3 to 6 month W-2 contract PAs across the Central Coast, including San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz.
Does a PA need a California license to work in the Central Coast?
Yes. California is not in the PA Licensure Compact and has no general temporary license, so a PA licensed only in another state needs a full California license before starting. We plan start dates around that timeline.
What does FirstAssistPA charge to place an orthopedic PA in the California Central Coast?
Nothing for your first placement, permanent or contract. If you aren't happy with the PA we place, for any reason, we find a replacement at no cost. PAs never pay a fee.