Physician Assistant - Specialty Salary in the United States

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

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

However, a Physician Assistant - Specialty'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

Key Factors That Influence Physician Assistant - Specialty Salaries

A Physician Assistant - Specialty'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 - Specialty Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physician Assistant - Specialty'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): $117,313
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,389
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,003
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,592
Levels Salary
Entry Level Physician Assistant - Specialty$117,044
Intermediate Level Physician Assistant - Specialty$117,313
Senior Level Physician Assistant - Specialty$118,389
Specialist Level Physician Assistant - Specialty$120,003
Expert Level Physician Assistant - Specialty$122,592

How Do Physician Assistant - Specialties 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 - Specialties. 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 - Specialty

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 - Specialty's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 4.25% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Diagnostic Tests (Mentioned in 3.6% 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.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 4.25%
Diagnostic Tests 3.6%
CPR 2.62%

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 - Specialty's salary.

  • CVS: Can increase your salary by up to 70%.
  • Wound Care: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CVS $204,005
70%
Wound Care $144,004
20%
Planning $140,404
17%

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

Physician Assistant - Specialty salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,032. While startup companies pay approximate $114,691.

Physician Assistant - Specialty Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,691
Growth Stage 51~500 $121,169
Established 501~5000 $130,514
Enterprise 5000+ $135,032

Physician Assistant - Specialty Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physician Assistant - Specialty roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Physician Assistant - Specialty positions in Biotechnology or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Physician Assistant - Specialty as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Physician Assistant - Specialty

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$144,004$69.020%
Healthcare$132,003$63.010%

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

Understanding how a Physician Assistant - Specialty'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 - Specialty

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

Common company salaries for Physician Assistant - Specialty

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

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FAQ about Physician Assistant - Specialty

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

A Physician Assistant - Specialty'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 - Specialty earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Physician Assistant - Specialty is $151,360.

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

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

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

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

4. What are the responsibilities of Physician Assistant - Specialty?

Provides care to patients in a medical specialty (such as neurology, oncology, dermatology, etc.) 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 - Specialty?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Physician Assistant - Specialty roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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