Physician Assistant Salary in 2026
Physician assistants practice medicine under physician supervision, examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing treatments. They work across medical and surgical specialties.
Median Salary
$135,880
$11,323/mo
Entry Level
$101,600
starting pay
Senior Level
$173,400
experienced
Job Growth
+28%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071) at a national median of $135,880 per year (mean $141,280), or $65.33 per hour, with 162,150 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Physician Assistant Overview
Physician assistants practice medicine under physician supervision, examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing treatments. They work across medical and surgical specialties.
Education
Master's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
162K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$65.33/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,323
Physician Assistant Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Physician Assistant salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Physician Assistant Salary
$149,000
$12,417/month · $5,731/biweekly · $71.63/hr
Physician Assistant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Physician Assistant field.
Entry-level Physician Assistants earn around $101,600, while the top 10% earn $190,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Physician Assistants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $160,000 | +$24,120 |
| New York | $156,000 | +$20,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $136,000 | +$120 |
| Texas | $133,000 | $-2,880 |
| Florida | $133,000 | $-2,880 |
Top Paying Cities for Physician Assistants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $167,650 | +$31,770 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $161,890 | +$26,010 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $137,240 | +$1,360 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $135,640 | $-240 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $132,360 | $-3,520 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Physician Assistants in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Physician Assistant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Physician Assistant from entry level to expert.
$101,600
0-2 years
$138,000
3-7 years
$173,400
8-14 years
$206,600
15+ years
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Physician Assistant Salary FAQ
How much does a Physician Assistant make in 2026?
The median salary for a Physician Assistant in the United States is $135,880 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071); the mean is $141,280. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $101,600, senior professionals around $173,400, and top earners at $206,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Physician Assistant?
A Physician Assistant typically requires a Master's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Clinical Examination, Diagnosis, Procedure Assistance. Relevant certifications such as PANCE or NCCPA Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Physician Assistants?
The job market for Physician Assistants is projected to grow by 28% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 162K Physician Assistant positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Physician Assistants the most?
The highest-paying states for Physician Assistants include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $156,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Physician Assistant salary?
To increase your Physician Assistant salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Clinical Examination and Diagnosis. Pursue certifications such as PANCE. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $101,600 to $173,400 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Physician Assistant Salary
How we calculate Physician Assistant salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $135,880, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Physician Assistants; BLS mean $141,280; BLS hourly median $65.33.
- Entry-level ($101,600) and senior-level ($173,400) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +28% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 162,150 Physician Assistants jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $135,880; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Physician Assistant compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physician Assistant job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Physician Assistant salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Clinical Examination, Diagnosis, Procedure Assistance), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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