Physician Assistant (PA) Salary in the United States

What is the salary range of a Physician Assistant (PA)?

As of August 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) in the United States ranges from $114,750 (25th percentile) to $132,420 (75th percentile), with a median annual salary of $124,240 and an hourly rate of $60. A Physician Assistant (PA)'s salary is shaped by several key factors, including experience level, specific skills, industry differences, company size, and more. Below, we'll explore how each of these influences compensation.

View as table View as graph 25% $114,750 10% $106,110 90% $139,867 75% $132,420 $124,240 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Physician Assistant (PA) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $132,420 $11,035 $2,547 $64
Average $124,240 $10,353 $2,389 $60
25th Percentile $114,750 $9,563 $2,207 $55
500+ Physician Assistant (PA) job openings Go >
Check out Physician Assistant (PA) Job Openings in the United States
Physician

Core Civic - Youngstown, OH

Physician Assistant - Ortho Oncology

University Hospitals - Cleveland, OH

Part-Time Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

BayMark Health Services - Elyria, OH

Hospice Physician

Ohioans Home Healthcare & Hospice - Toledo, OH

Search More Physician Assistant (PA) Jobs in the United States

How much does a Physician Assistant (PA) make by hour, week, month, and year?

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Physician Assistant (PA) salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. The average annual pay for a Physician Assistant (PA) is about $124,240 a year, this translates to an approximate hourly rate of $60, a monthly salary of about $10,353, and a weekly pay of around $2,389. Click the switch button below to see more details about Physician Assistant (PA) hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay and so on.

Last Updated on August 01, 2025

How does experience level affect a Physician Assistant (PA)'s Salary?

An entry-level Physician Assistant (PA) with less than 1 year of experience earns about $121,124. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $121,407. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $124,850. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $128,269, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $128,513.

Levels Salary
Entry Level Physician Assistant (PA) $121,124
Intermediate Level Physician Assistant (PA) $121,407
Senior Level Physician Assistant (PA) $124,850
Specialist Level Physician Assistant (PA) $128,269
Expert Level Physician Assistant (PA) $128,513
$121,124 0 yr
$121,407 < 2 yrs
$124,850 2-4 yrs
$128,269 5-8 yrs
$128,513 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How much does salary of Physician Assistant (PA) vary from state to state?

Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

For example, as of August 01, 2025:
  • In California, the average yearly salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) is $137,040.
  • In Massachusetts, the average annual salary is $135,210.
  • In New Jersey, a Physician Assistant (PA) earns $134,660 per year.

How much does salary of Physician Assistant (PA) vary from city to city?

Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

For example, as of August 01, 2025:
  • In San Francisco, CA, the average yearly salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) is $155,160.
  • In New York, NY, the average annual salary is $143,980.
  • In Boston, MA, a Physician Assistant (PA) earns $138,560 per year.

What are the salaries of a Physician Assistant (PA) with different levels of education?

Salaries for Physician Assistant (PA) with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Physician Assistant (PA) with a Bachelor's Degree is $116,583 - $122,283. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

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%
view as graph

What is the salary trend of Physician Assistant (PA)?

As of August 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Physician Assistant (PA) compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $231,993 in 2023 to approximately $226,789 in 2025. (For a detailed analysis of Physician Assistant (PA) salary trends, click here.)

Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.

Average Annual Salary of Physician Assistant (PA) Over Time

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

Physician Assistant (PA) bonus and incentive rates

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 72.8%
Bonuses 0.7%
Social Security 5.6%
401k/403b 3.6%
Disability 1.2%
Healthcare 3.7%
Pension 3.1%
Time Off 9.3%
Employers: Find Surveys For This Job
Median % of Total
Base Salary $124,240 72.8%
Bonus $1,200 0.7%
Median % of Total
Social Security $9,596 5.6%
401K/403B $6,147 3.6%
Disability $2,007 1.2%
Healthcare $6,371 3.7%
Pension $5,268 3.1%
Time Off $15,921 9.3%
Total Compensation $170,750 100%

Most common benefits for Physician Assistant (PA)

Common company salaries for Physician Assistant (PA)

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

Job openings of Physician Assistant (PA)

Salary.com job board provides millions of Physician Assistant (PA) information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Physician Assistant (PA) job openings or enter a new job title here.

FAQ about Physician Assistant (PA)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

About Our Data

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst