Physician Assistant Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$133,000
estimated national base salary
$114,000 to $160,000. Last updated September 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $135,880 for Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071) across the United States, based on 162,150 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$99,380
25th percentile
$120,670
Median
$135,880
75th percentile
$163,980
90th percentile
$190,280
Workers surveyed
162,150
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$133,260
May 2025 release
$135,880
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071) rather than Physician Assistant specifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1071Highest Paying
$180,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$139,000
Seattle, WA
Lowest Paying
$102,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated September 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 29-1071. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Physician Assistant salary in the United States at $133,000 in 2026, within a range of $114,000 to $160,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $180,000, while Seattle offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care.
Physician Assistant salary by city.
Skills that increase Physician Assistant pay.
The premiums below are Orbyt's modelled scenarios for Physician Assistants, not effects measured from job postings: each is a fixed percentage applied to the estimated base. At the top premium that works out to $18,620 a year.
≈ +$18,620 per year
≈ +$17,290 per year
≈ +$15,960 per year
≈ +$14,630 per year
≈ +$14,630 per year
≈ +$13,300 per year
≈ +$13,300 per year
≈ +$11,970 per year
What you should know.
Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. Geographic location matters significantly, with rural and underserved areas offering premium pay to attract talent. Experience in procedural skills and first-assist certification further boost compensation.
Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role. Mid-career PAs with specialty experience reach $120,000 to $135,000. Senior PAs in surgical specialties or leadership positions can command $145,000 to $165,000 with additional administrative responsibilities.
PAs commonly receive productivity bonuses, CME allowances of $2,000 to $5,000 annually, malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. Hospital systems often add shift differentials for nights, weekends, and call coverage.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Physician Assistants typically earn $120,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Physician Assistant pay.
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