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Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salary in the United States

How much does a Physician Assistant - Primary Care make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physician Assistant - Primary Care in the United States is $120,003 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,069
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $110,992 to $127,889
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,788
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salaries

A Physician Assistant - Primary Care'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 Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physician Assistant - Primary Care'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): $117,044
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,717
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,658
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,238
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,592
Levels Salary
Entry Level Physician Assistant - Primary Care$117,044
Intermediate Level Physician Assistant - Primary Care$117,717
Senior Level Physician Assistant - Primary Care$118,658
Specialist Level Physician Assistant - Primary Care$120,238
Expert Level Physician Assistant - Primary Care$122,592
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How Do Physician Assistant - Primary Cares 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 - Primary Cares. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $132,867.
  • California: $132,363.
  • Massachusetts: $130,599.

Top Paying Cities for Physician Assistant - Primary Care

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: $151,360
  • San Francisco: $149,703
  • Oakland: $146,548

What Skills Can Increase a Physician Assistant - Primary Care'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%
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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 - Primary Care'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 $135,603
13%
Innovation $135,603
13%
Consulting $135,603
13%
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Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physician Assistant - Primary Care salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,290. While startup companies pay approximate $108,469.

Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $108,469
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,504
Established 501~5000 $123,127
Enterprise 5000+ $127,290

Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physician Assistant - Primary Care 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, Physician Assistant - Primary Care positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physician Assistant - Primary Care as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physician Assistant - Primary Care

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$138,003$66.015%

Physician Assistant - Primary Care Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physician Assistant - Primary Care'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
$110,992
Average $120,003/year
$127,889
$9,249
Average $10,000/month
$10,657
$2,134
Average $2,308/week
$2,459
$53
Average $58/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,889 $10,657 $2,459 $61
Average $120,003 $10,000 $2,308 $58
25th Percentile $110,992 $9,249 $2,134 $53

Most common benefits for Physician Assistant - Primary Care

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

Common company salaries for Physician Assistant - Primary Care

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

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FAQ about Physician Assistant - Primary Care

1. Where can a Physician Assistant - Primary Care earn the most?

A Physician Assistant - Primary Care's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Physician Assistant - Primary Care earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physician Assistant - Primary Care is $151,360.

2. What is the highest pay for Physician Assistant - Primary Care?

The highest pay for Physician Assistant - Primary Care is $135,069.

3. What is the lowest pay for Physician Assistant - Primary Care?

The lowest pay for Physician Assistant - Primary Care is $102,788.

4. What are the responsibilities of Physician Assistant - Primary Care?

Provides care to patients in a primary care setting under the supervision of a physician. Conducts medical histories and physical exams, diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, and develops treatment plans. Orders and interprets diagnostic tests and laboratory work. Writes progress notes, conducts patient education, writes prescriptions, and provides advice about various health issues. Requires a master's degree in health sciences for physician assistants. Requires Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C). Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a physician. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Physician Assistant - Primary Care?

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

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.)

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

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