California · Ortho PA placement
Orthopedic PA jobs and hiring in Santa Barbara and Ventura
In short
FirstAssistPA places orthopedic PAs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts, and matches ortho PAs to roles there for free. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is the area's adult Level I trauma center. Your first placement is free, with a free replacement if you aren't happy.
Hiring an ortho PA in Santa Barbara and Ventura
Santa Barbara and Ventura are smaller markets than Los Angeles next door, with fewer ortho PAs looking at any given time. Searches here often end up recruiting from LA or out of state, which brings licensing and housing into the plan.
Housing near the coast is expensive and short-term rentals are limited, so for contract roles, a housing arrangement or stipend is usually what makes the numbers work for a PA coming from elsewhere.
What to plan for
- A wider search radius than a big metro, and time for a California license if the best candidate is out of state.
- Housing or a stipend for contract roles.
- Which hospital the PA will take call 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
If the role includes trauma call, these are the designated trauma centers where it is likely to happen. The PA's supervising surgeon needs privileges at each hospital the PA works in.
| Hospital | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital | Santa Barbara | Level I |
| Ventura County Medical Center | Ventura | Level II |
| Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center | Thousand Oaks | Level II |
| Marian Regional Medical Center | Santa Maria | 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 Santa Barbara and Ventura
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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara (metro) | $158,360$76.14/hr | $150,990 | $90,310 to $204,280 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura (metro) | $154,760$74.41/hr | $150,490 | $107,410 to $196,870 |
| 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 Santa Barbara / Ventura?
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 Santa Barbara / Ventura?
Free, ortho-only matching. We negotiate rate, stipend and schedule, and never send your CV without asking.
Questions about Santa Barbara / Ventura
Is it hard to hire an orthopedic PA in Santa Barbara or Ventura?
The local pool is smaller than in Los Angeles, so it can take longer. We widen the search to PAs willing to relocate or take a 3 to 6 month contract, and plan around California licensing when a candidate is out of state.
Does a PA need a California license to work in Santa Barbara or Ventura?
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.
Do you place PAs in Ojai and Santa Maria too?
Yes. We place across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, including Ojai, Thousand Oaks and Santa Maria.
What does FirstAssistPA charge to place an orthopedic PA in Santa Barbara and Ventura?
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.