Average Physician Assistant Salary: $130,111 (2026)

The average physician assistant salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $130,111 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $106,512 in El Paso, TX to $180,337 in San Jose, CA.

The average hourly rate for physician assistants is $62.55 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $51.21/hour in lower-paying areas to $86.70/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.

San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for physician assistants, with a median salary of $180,337 per year. This is 39% above the national average of $130,111. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level physician assistants (10th percentile) typically earn around $84,894 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $130,111 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average physician assistant salary of $130,111 is 120% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $189,455 or more annually.

El Paso, TX has the lowest physician assistant salary at $106,512 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $73,825.

There are approximately 7,770 physician assistants employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a specialized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting physician assistant salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $73,825 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Specialty — surgical PAs (orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery) earn significantly more than primary care, Practice setting — private specialty groups and surgery centers often pay more than hospital systems. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost physician assistant salaries include: Advanced clinical assessment — history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic reasoning, Medical procedures — suturing, splinting, arthrocentesis, lumbar puncture, airway management, Pharmacology and prescriptive authority — formulary management and medication reconciliation, Surgical assistance and sterile technique in procedural and operative specialties, Electronic health records proficiency (Epic, Cerner, Athenahealth). Specialty — surgical PAs (orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery) earn significantly more than primary care Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($161,037).

Physician Assistant salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $130,111 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.