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Physician assistants in the US earn $126,010 on average — one of the highest-paying healthcare careers requiring only a master’s degree.
Average Physician Assistant Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average PA salary | $126,010 |
| Median PA salary | $121,530 |
| Entry level (0-2 years) | $102,000 |
| Mid-career (5-10 years) | $125,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $145,000+ |
| Hourly rate | $60.58 |
Physician Assistant Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $150,000 | $72.12 | +19% |
| Connecticut | $145,000 | $69.71 | +15% |
| Washington | $142,000 | $68.27 | +13% |
| Alaska | $140,000 | $67.31 | +11% |
| Nevada | $138,000 | $66.35 | +10% |
| New York | $137,500 | $66.11 | +9% |
| Massachusetts | $135,000 | $64.90 | +7% |
| New Jersey | $134,000 | $64.42 | +6% |
| Oregon | $132,000 | $63.46 | +5% |
| Hawaii | $130,000 | $62.50 | +3% |
| Colorado | $126,000 | $60.58 | 0% |
| Texas | $122,000 | $58.65 | -3% |
| Florida | $118,000 | $56.73 | -6% |
| Georgia | $116,000 | $55.77 | -8% |
| Ohio | $115,000 | $55.29 | -9% |
| North Carolina | $114,000 | $54.81 | -10% |
| Tennessee | $110,000 | $52.88 | -13% |
| Alabama | $106,000 | $50.96 | -16% |
Physician Assistant Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Job Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatology | $155,000 | Moderate |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | $150,000 | Moderate |
| Emergency Medicine | $145,000 | High |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $142,000 | High |
| Urology | $138,000 | Moderate |
| Gastroenterology | $135,000 | Moderate |
| Neurosurgery | $148,000 | Low |
| Psychiatry | $135,000 | Very High |
| Family Medicine | $115,000 | Very High |
| Pediatrics | $112,000 | High |
| Urgent Care | $120,000 | Very High |
Surgical Specialties Pay Premium
PAs in surgical specialties earn $20,000-$35,000 more than primary care PAs due to:
- Operating room assist duties
- Call/weekend requirements
- Specialized training needed
- Higher procedure reimbursement
Physician Assistant Salary by Setting
| Work Setting | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Hospitals - Surgical | $145,000 |
| Outpatient specialty | $135,000 |
| Emergency departments | $140,000 |
| Urgent care centers | $125,000 |
| Hospitals - Non-surgical | $125,000 |
| Physician offices | $118,000 |
| Government/VA | $130,000 |
| Academia/Teaching | $105,000 |
PA vs. NP vs. MD Salary Comparison
| Role | Average Salary | Education | Training Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $121,610 | MSN/DNP | 2-4 years post-RN |
| Physician Assistant | $126,010 | Master’s | 2-3 years |
| Physician (Primary) | $239,000 | MD/DO | 7-11 years |
| Physician (Specialist) | $350,000+ | MD/DO | 10-15 years |
PAs earn slightly more than NPs with similar education length but different clinical approach.
Physician Assistant Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Typical Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New Grad (0-1 year) | $95,000-$110,000 | $46-$53 |
| Early Career (1-4 years) | $110,000-$125,000 | $53-$60 |
| Mid-Career (5-9 years) | $125,000-$145,000 | $60-$70 |
| Experienced (10-19 years) | $140,000-$165,000 | $67-$79 |
| Expert (20+ years) | $155,000-$190,000 | $75-$91 |
How to Increase PA Salary
- Specialize in surgery — Derm, ortho, cardiothoracic pay top dollar
- Negotiate aggressively — PA salaries vary widely for same roles
- Work in high-paying states — CA, CT, WA offer premium rates
- Take call/weekends — Extra shifts add $15,000-$30,000
- Obtain additional certifications — CAQ (Certificate of Added Qualification)
- Work locum tenens — $100-$150/hour + travel stipends
- Consider rural areas — Loan repayment + higher relative pay
PA Salary With Bonuses and Benefits
| Compensation Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $120,000-$140,000 |
| Signing bonus | $5,000-$25,000 |
| Production bonus | $5,000-$20,000 |
| CME allowance | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Student loan repayment | $0-$50,000 |
| Total compensation | $135,000-$200,000 |
Many employers offer significant bonuses and benefits beyond base salary.
Physician Assistant Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $110,000 | $15,900 | $8,415 | $4,400 | $81,285 |
| $126,010 | $20,000 | $9,640 | $5,040 | $91,330 |
| $145,000 | $25,300 | $11,093 | $5,800 | $102,807 |
| $165,000 | $32,300 | $11,893 | $6,600 | $114,207 |
Job Outlook for Physician Assistants
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Projected growth (2022-2032) | 27% |
| Current employment | 168,000 |
| Annual job openings | 13,600 |
| Median time to find job | 2-6 weeks |
PA is one of the fastest-growing professions in the US economy.
Cost to Become a Physician Assistant
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | $40,000-$160,000 |
| PA program (2-3 years) | $80,000-$150,000 |
| PANCE exam fees | $550 |
| State licensing | $100-$500 |
| Total Investment | $120,000-$310,000 |
With average salaries of $126,000+, the ROI typically pays off within 5-7 years.
Is Physician Assistant a Good Career?
Pros:
- High salary ($126K+ average)
- Excellent job growth (27%)
- Diverse specialty options
- Work-life balance possible
- Shorter training than physicians
- Lateral mobility between specialties
Cons:
- Expensive graduate education
- Physician supervision required
- High responsibility/liability
- Competitive PA school admission
- Some scope limitations by state
Bottom Line
Physician assistants earn $126,010/year on average, with surgical specialists earning $145,000-$165,000. With 27% job growth, excellent salary, and shorter training than physicians, PA remains one of the best healthcare careers. Consider surgical or specialty tracks for highest earning potential.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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