California · Ortho PA placement
Orthopedic PA jobs and hiring in Lake Tahoe and the Sierra
In short
FirstAssistPA places orthopedic PAs in Lake Tahoe, Truckee and the Sierra, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts that can cover ski season. A PA needs a California license for the California side of the lake and a Nevada license for the Nevada side. Your first placement is free.
Hiring an ortho PA in Lake Tahoe and the Sierra
Mountain ortho is seasonal. Ski season brings a surge of knees, shoulders, wrists and fractures, and a 3 to 6 month contract PA can cover it without a year-round hire. Local hospitals here are Level III trauma centers; the higher-level centers are in Reno and the Sacramento area.
Lake Tahoe straddles two states. A PA needs a license in the state where they practice, so a role in Incline Village or Stateline needs a Nevada license while one in Truckee or South Lake Tahoe needs a California license. Some practices want both.
What to plan for
- Which state the PA will practice in, or both. Neither California nor Nevada is in the PA Licensure Compact.
- Start dates that line up with the season, allowing months for a California license.
- Housing. It's scarce and expensive in ski towns, and often decides whether a contract works.
- 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 serving Tahoe
There's no Level I trauma center in the Tahoe area. Local hospitals are Level III, with Level II centers in Reno and Roseville; the nearest Level I is UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Levels as verified by the American College of Surgeons.
| Hospital | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Barton Memorial Hospital | South Lake Tahoe, CA | Level III |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital | Truckee, CA | Level III |
| Renown Regional Medical Center | Reno, NV | Level II |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center | Roseville, CA | Level II |
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 Lake Tahoe and the Sierra
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 |
| Nevada, statewide | $134,660$64.74/hr | $135,790 | $60,040 to $175,300 |
Statewide figures. Roles on the Nevada side of the lake follow Nevada pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, Physician Assistants (29-1071), May 2025 estimates.
For practices and for PAs
Hiring in Tahoe?
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 Tahoe?
Free, ortho-only matching. We negotiate rate, stipend and schedule, and never send your CV without asking.
Questions about Tahoe
Can you place an orthopedic PA just for ski season in Tahoe?
Yes. We place 3 to 6 month W-2 contract PAs timed to the season, and negotiate housing or a stipend into the offer. Allow months for a California license if the PA doesn't already hold one.
Does a PA need a California or Nevada license to work at Lake Tahoe?
It depends on which side of the lake the practice is on. A PA needs a license in the state where they practice: California for Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, Nevada for Incline Village and Stateline. Neither state is in the PA Licensure Compact.
Do you place PAs in Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra?
Yes. Tell us about the role. Mountain roles often work best as seasonal contracts with housing included.
What does FirstAssistPA charge to place an orthopedic PA in Lake Tahoe and the Sierra?
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.