Hourly Wage for Physician Assistant (PA) Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Physician Assistant (PA)?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Physician Assistant (PA) in the United States is $60, which translates to an annual salary of about $124,270.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $67 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55 to $64 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $55 10% $51 90% $67 75% $64 $60 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Physician Assistant (PA) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $132,440 $11,037 $2,547 $64
Average $124,270 $10,356 $2,390 $60
25th Percentile $114,940 $9,578 $2,210 $55
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Key Factors That Influence Physician Assistant (PA) Salaries

A Physician Assistant (PA)'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physician Assistant (PA) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physician Assistant (PA)'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): $121,206
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $121,485
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,880
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,294
  • Expert (over 8 years): $128,538
Levels Salary
Entry Level Physician Assistant (PA)$121,206
Intermediate Level Physician Assistant (PA)$121,485
Senior Level Physician Assistant (PA)$124,880
Specialist Level Physician Assistant (PA)$128,294
Expert Level Physician Assistant (PA)$128,538
$121,206 0 yr
$121,485 < 2 yrs
$124,880 2-4 yrs
$128,294 5-8 yrs
$128,538 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Physician Assistant (PA) Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Physician Assistant (PA)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $137,600.
  • California: $137,070.
  • Massachusetts: $135,250.

Top Paying Cities for Physician Assistant (PA)s

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: $156,750
  • San Francisco: $155,030
  • Oakland: $151,760

What Skills Can Increase a Physician Assistant (PA)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 6.34% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
  • Front Office (Mentioned in 2.32% Job Postings): The front office represents the customer-facing division of a firm. For example, customer service, sales, and industry experts who provide advisory services are considered part of a firm's front office operations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 6.34%
Basic Life Support 2.74%
Front Office 2.32%
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 Physician Assistant (PA)'s salary.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • EHR: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation
$136,697
10%
EHR
$134,212
8%
Effective Communication
$129,241
4%
Flexibility
$127,998
3%
Coordination
$127,998
3%
Commitment
$126,755
2%
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Physician Assistant (PA) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physician Assistant (PA) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,816. While startup companies pay approximate $112,326.

Physician Assistant (PA) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$112,326
Growth Stage51~500$118,575
Established501~5000$127,505
Enterprise5000+$131,816

Physician Assistant (PA) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physician Assistant (PA) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Physician Assistant (PA) positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physician Assistant (PA) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physician Assistant (PA)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$149,124$72.020%

How Education impacts a Physician Assistant (PA)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physician Assistant (PA)s enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) with a Bachelor's Degree is between $116,583 and $122,283).

Physician Assistant (PA) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physician Assistant (PA)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.0%
High School 2.6%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 22.8%
Masters 70.5%
Doctorate 1.9%
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Physician Assistant (PA) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physician Assistant (PA)'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Physician Assistant (PA)

Salaries for a Physician Assistant (PA) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $231,993 in 2023 to around $226,789 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Physician Assistant (PA) salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Physician Assistant (PA) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$231,993
2024
$237,504
2025
$226,789
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $231,993
2024 $237,504
2025 $226,789
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Physician Assistant (PA)

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Physician Assistant (PA)

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

Find Your Next Physician Assistant (PA) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physician Assistant (PA) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Nirvana Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Nirvana Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (Advanced Practice Provider) in Columbus, OH. Are you looking to make a change.... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Allyalign Health

    Columbus, OH

    Allyalign Health | Columbus, OH

    Join Curana Health. At Curana Health, we're on a mission to radically improve the health, happiness, and dignity of older adultsand we're looking for passi... more

    4 Days Ago

  • NSI Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    NSI Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (Advanced Practice Provider) in Columbus, OH.Are you looking to make a change. ... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Advantmed

    Columbus, OH

    Advantmed | Columbus, OH

    Field Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant. Pay - ~$100 per completed assessment + paid mileage. Schedule - Flexible weekdays | No evenings, weekends, ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Dermafix Spa

    Columbus, OH

    Dermafix Spa | Columbus, OH

    Advanced Medspa Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant. Are you a licensed Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant with a passion for aesthetic... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Ohiohealth

    Columbus, OH

    Ohiohealth | Columbus, OH

    Join a hospital system where you get to explore your passion for neuro while having autonomy with the support of other APPs and physicians. As an APP at Oh... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Physician Assistant (PA)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Physician Assistant (PA)?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Physician Assistant (PA) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What states pay PA the most?

The best-paying states for Physician Assistants include Nevada, California, Washington, Connecticut, and Alaska. While the average salary for PAs ranges from a minimum of $112,110 to a maximum of $134,280, these states offer significantly higher compensation, reflecting the demand and cost of living in those areas.

3. Is 150K a good salary in PA?

A salary of 150K is above the maximum salary for Physician Assistants in Pennsylvania, which is 134,280. Given that the average mid-salary is 121,790, 150K is considered an excellent salary for a PA in the state.

4. How many hours do physician assistants work?

The typical Physician Assistant (PA) works full-time, averaging 40 hours per week, though additional hours may be necessary. Shifts can vary, and PAs may be required to work nights, weekends, or holidays. They are also often on call. With a salary range from $112,110 to $134,280, this role offers competitive compensation for the demanding schedule.

5. 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. With salaries ranging from $112,110 to $134,280, PAs can enjoy both professional autonomy and competitive compensation.

6. Can a PA make 400k a year?

While some Physician Assistants can earn high salaries, the typical salary range is between $112,110 and $134,280 per year, with a median salary of $121,790. Earning $400,000 annually is uncommon and would likely require specialized skills or positions in high-demand areas. PAs play vital roles in healthcare, from patient assessments to assisting in surgeries.

7. How much do PAs make in the USA?

Physician Assistants in the USA earn a minimum salary of $112,110, a median salary of $121,790, and a maximum salary of $134,280. The salary range reflects the varying levels of experience and specialization within the profession.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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