PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salary in the United States

How much does a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist in the United States is $120,101 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,002
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,101 to $127,901
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,907

Key Factors That Influence PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salaries

A PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $117,246
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,917
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,858
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,434
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,762
Levels Salary
Entry Level PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist$117,246
Intermediate Level PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist$117,917
Senior Level PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist$118,858
Specialist Level PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist$120,434
Expert Level PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist$122,762

Top Paying Cities for PA -Physician Assistant - Generalists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $151,401
  • San Francisco: $149,801
  • Oakland: $146,601

What Skills Can Increase a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 4.52% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 4.47% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
  • Diagnostic Tests (Mentioned in 2.99% Job Postings): Intended to help teachers identify what students know and can do in different domains to support their students' learning. Also to determine what students understand in order to build on the students' strengths and address their specific needs.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 4.52%
Pediatric 4.47%
Diagnostic Tests 2.99%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $135,714
13%
Innovation $135,714
13%
Consulting $135,714
13%

PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,348. While startup companies pay approximate $108,536.

PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $108,536
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,581
Established 501~5000 $123,150
Enterprise 5000+ $127,348

PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$138,116$66.015%

PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$111,101
Average $120,101/year
$127,901
$9,258
Average $10,008/month
$10,658
$2,137
Average $2,310/week
$2,460
$53
Average $58/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,901 $10,658 $2,460 $61
Average $120,101 $10,008 $2,310 $58
25th Percentile $111,101 $9,258 $2,137 $53

Most common benefits for PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist

Here are companies hiring for PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for PA -Physician Assistant - Generalist roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

2. How much is a PA paid per hour?

The average salary for a Physician Assistant - Generalist ranges from $120,101 to $138,801 annually. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $57.69 to $66.67, depending on experience and location. The mid-salary is $129,201, which equates to about $62.05 per hour.

3. What states are best for PA?

The East is home to some of the best states for Physician Assistants, including Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These states offer a supportive practice environment and all six key elements of modern PA practice. In these regions, PAs can expect salaries ranging from $120,101 to $138,801, with a median salary of $129,201, reflecting their valuable contributions to healthcare.

4. Do PAs make more than nurses?

Yes, physician assistants (PAs) generally earn more than registered nurses. For instance, PAs have a salary range with a minimum of $120,101, a mid-level salary of $129,201, and a maximum of $138,801. In contrast, registered nurses typically earn less, highlighting the higher compensation for PAs in the healthcare field.

5. What is higher than an HR generalist?

A human resource specialist can advance to senior human resource specialist or HR generalist. HR generalists, with their skills, can be promoted to HR managers or assistant HR managers. In terms of salary, HR generalists typically earn between $120,101 and $138,801, with a median salary of $129,201, reflecting their increased responsibilities and expertise.

6. What is a good salary pa?

A good salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) in Pennsylvania ranges from a minimum of $120,101 to a maximum of $138,801, with a median salary of $129,201. This reflects a competitive compensation package for PAs, significantly higher than average salaries in other professions.

7. What is the salary of a PA in the US?

In 2024, the salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) in the United States ranges from $120,101 to $138,801, with a median salary of $129,201. These figures can vary based on specialization, location, employer type, and experience level.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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