California · Ortho PA placement
Orthopedic PA jobs and hiring in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
In short
FirstAssistPA places orthopedic PAs in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts that can cover the winter season. Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs is the valley's adult Level I trauma center. Your first placement is free.
Hiring an ortho PA in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
The Coachella Valley fills up in winter when part-time residents return, and many practices feel it in clinic and OR volume. A 3 to 6 month contract PA is one way to cover the busy months without adding a permanent position you don't need in summer.
The valley sits a long drive from Los Angeles and San Diego, so a PA who takes a role here usually lives here or relocates for it. Summer heat and the distance both come up with candidates, and it's better to talk about them early.
What to plan for
- Whether you need year-round help or seasonal coverage. A contract can match the season.
- Housing for a contract PA. Short-term rentals get tight in season.
- A full California license for out-of-state candidates.
- 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
The Coachella Valley's adult Level I trauma center, verified by the American College of Surgeons. The next nearest Level I centers in Riverside County are in Riverside and Moreno Valley.
| Hospital | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Regional Medical Center | Palm Springs | Level I |
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 Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (metro, includes the Coachella Valley) | $165,490$79.56/hr | $160,390 | $77,310 to $224,010 |
| California, statewide | $165,650$79.64/hr | $169,110 | $99,380 to $225,190 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, Physician Assistants (29-1071), May 2025 estimates.
For practices and for PAs
Hiring in Palm Springs?
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 Palm Springs?
Free, ortho-only matching. We negotiate rate, stipend and schedule, and never send your CV without asking.
Questions about Palm Springs
Can we get an orthopedic PA just for the winter season in Palm Springs?
Yes. We place 3 to 6 month W-2 contract PAs, which can be timed to the busy months, and we negotiate housing or a stipend into the offer.
What do physician assistants earn in the Palm Springs area?
Palm Springs is in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro, where the BLS median for all physician assistants was $165,490 in May 2025. Ortho pay depends on first assist, call and experience.
Does a PA need a California license to work in Palm Springs?
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 Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley?
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.