sonik555 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Hello fellow PAs I have been planning to move from east coast to California for a while now as I have always been in love with your state. I have sort of a generalized question with regards to our profession and employment. A little bit about my goals: I am considering almost any part of California as long as it's coastal. Some of the areas I am interested is Carlsbad, Encinitas, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Nigel, Irvine, Ventura County, and in Northern California Danville, San Ramon, Pleasanton. I have been working in Orthopaedic Surgery for 2-3 years with good amount of trauma experience. My question is after reading a few disappointing posts with regards to NP vs PA, preferences for NPs and difficulties of obtaining PA position in coastal California due to high demand, how difficult it is for Orthopaedic surgery PA in the above mentioned locations. If need to be I would also consider neurosurgery. What are the salaries out there on coastal areas and how is the job marked for those specialties in above mentioned locations? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystaltide Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 As a new grad when I moved from Chicago to California the majority of job openings out here were for private practice ortho surgery, actually. I was invited to interview for several before finding a job in emergency medicine that I preferred. I never got as far as salary negotiations with any of them, so it's unclear what they are willing to pay. From my experience, however, if you aren't working within cities (i.e. SF, LA, or SD), the pay in California is much better than many other areas, and certainly better than Illinois where I came from. I fell in love with California, as well, and will keep my career here for as long as possible, even with the higher tax rates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbeTheBabe Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Don't let those posts deter you. If you look hard enough, you'll find something, especially since you already have experience. I found a great job with good pay in ortho as a new grad with no connections. Make sure to look on the AAPA and CAPA websites for jobs, in addition to Craiglist and Monster and Indeed, along with specific hospital websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonik555 Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 Thank you for your response crystaltide. Its definitely encouraging to know there are ortho positions out there. With regards to salaries I have to agree with you, the closer your stay to those cities the worse the salaries get as most people want to life there or by the coast, and that is one of my main concerns as I am considering areas close to the major cities. Thank you AbeTheBabe, its good to know once can still get a job there without connections. Thank you for your suggestions. Also if anyone posts, would you be so kind and post at least approximate geographical location, a nearby city at least so I know what areas you are talking about. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbeTheBabe Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I live in the LA area. I believe I found the job on the CAPA website. As a new grad the salary is not bad at all, $95,000 a year, 10% AR bonus, 3 weeks PTO, 1 week + $2,000 CME, a few paid holidays, malpractice paid, 401k with a little match, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonik555 Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Thank you. Thats very helpful. Sounds like a great deal. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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