Physician Assistant Salary Overview
A Physician Assistant in the United States earns a median of $130,020 a year, or about $62.51 an hour over a full-time year of 2,080 hours. The role requires proficiency with industry-standard tools and technologies including Electronic health records (Epic, Cerner), point-of-care ultrasound, medical imaging systems, clinical decision support tools, prescription management systems. The band runs from $76,800 to $195,600, a spread of 155 per cent between the two ends, which for this occupation is decided mainly by years in the role and by the employer rather than by job title. On the median salary, federal income tax takes about $20,452 and FICA another $9,947, leaving $99,622 in a state with no income tax such as Texas or Florida; add California income tax of roughly $8,229 and take-home pay falls to about $91,392, an effective rate of 29.7 per cent. Education: The typical path to becoming a Physician Assistant involves earning a Master's in Physician Assistant Studies from ARC-PA accredited program (requires bachelor's degree plus prerequisite courses and clinical hours).
The pay band for a Physician Assistant is unusually steep: the lead level pays about 2.4 times the entry level, or $195,030 against $81,913. A spread that wide means the occupation rewards accumulated judgement rather than credentials, and it has a practical consequence for anyone starting out: the first offer matters far less than the rate of progression, because the band above is large enough to absorb a modest start within a few years.
The largest single step is the one out of the entry level, worth about $48,107 a year. That places the decisive moment early: the two or three years it takes to stop being junior are worth more than any later promotion, which argues for choosing a first employer on what it will teach rather than on what it pays.
The best-paying states for this occupation are split: WA levies no income tax at all while CT, NY does, so two gross offers that look alike do not end alike. On this median salary the state layer alone is worth several thousand dollars a year, which is why the table below ranks by take-home pay rather than by gross.
Demand concentrates in New York, NY, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, and those are also among the most expensive places to live in the country. A premium of ten or twenty per cent on the median does not survive a housing cost twice the national figure, so the right comparison for a Physician Assistant weighing a move is take-home pay minus rent, not salary against salary.
The Physician Assistant is one of the most important roles in the Healthcare sector of the US economy in 2026. With a median annual salary of $130,020, compensation for this position ranges from $76,800 at the entry level to $195,600 for highly experienced professionals in top-paying markets.
This career typically requires Master's in Physician Assistant Studies from ARC-PA accredited program (requires bachelor's degree plus prerequisite courses and clinical hours). Valued professional credentials include PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), PANRE for recertification, specialty certificates (CAQ in surgery, emergency medicine, etc.). On a day-to-day basis, professionals in this role focus on examining patients and diagnosing conditions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, performing minor surgical procedures, developing treatment plans, collaborating with supervising physicians, and managing patient panels independently in many states.
The job market for this position shows 27% from 2022-2032 (much faster than average) driven by physician shortages, expanded scope of practice, and team-based care models growth, with demand strongest in specializations including surgical PA, emergency medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, psychiatry, and hospitalist medicine. AI diagnostic tools support clinical decision-making but patient relationships, complex differential diagnosis, and procedural skills keep PAs essential in healthcare delivery
Salary Range: The typical Physician Assistant in the US earns between $76,800 and $195,600 per year, with a median of $130,020.
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
A Physician Assistant spends their workday examining patients and diagnosing conditions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, performing minor surgical procedures, developing treatment plans, collaborating with supervising physicians, and managing patient panels independently in many states. The role requires proficiency with industry-standard tools and technologies including Electronic health records (Epic, Cerner), point-of-care ultrasound, medical imaging systems, clinical decision support tools, prescription management systems.
The typical work environment involves hospitals, physician offices, urgent care clinics, or surgical centers; may include on-call responsibilities depending on specialty. Within the profession, you can specialize in areas such as surgical PA, emergency medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, psychiatry, and hospitalist medicine, each requiring different skill sets and offering different compensation levels.
Day-to-day responsibilities vary based on seniority and organization size. Entry-level professionals often focus on execution tasks under supervision, while senior professionals take on strategic planning, mentoring, and cross-functional leadership.
Physician Assistant Salary by Experience
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $81,913 | $39/hr | $62,256 |
| Mid | $130,020 | $63/hr | $91,392 |
| Senior | $162,525 | $78/hr | $110,586 |
| Lead | $195,030 | $94/hr | $130,954 |
Best and Worst States for Physician Assistant Pay
Which states let a Physician Assistant keep the most, and least, of their salary, ranked by annual take-home pay.
Geographic location significantly impacts Physician Assistant compensation. The top-paying states for this role include Connecticut (highest median pay), Washington (expanded scope), California (high demand/pay), New York (large healthcare systems), New Jersey (suburban practices).
States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee) offer an effective pay boost of 3-9% compared to high-tax states like California or New York, though these states often compensate with higher cost of living or property taxes. When evaluating offers, consider both gross salary and after-tax take-home pay.
For a Physician Assistant earning $130,020, state choice alone determines a $8,229 swing in annual take-home pay. This is not a theoretical exercise: Healthcare professionals increasingly have geographic flexibility, and understanding that Texas preserves $99,622 of your salary while California only preserves $91,392 should factor into every relocation and remote work decision.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Analysis: When factoring in regional cost of living, Texas offers the best purchasing power for a Physician Assistant salary. While high-tax states like California and New York offer robust Healthcare job markets, their combined tax burden and cost of living can reduce effective purchasing power by 25-40% compared to states like Texas or Georgia. A Physician Assistant earning $130,020 in Texas enjoys purchasing power equivalent to approximately $107,120 in a baseline cost area.
Healthcare Market Analysis: Physician Assistant demand varies significantly by region. Rural areas offer signing bonuses of $5,000-$20,000 and lower cost of living, while major medical centers in Boston, Houston, and Chicago offer higher base salaries. For Physician Assistant professionals, travel assignments can increase effective hourly rates by 50-100%, though tax implications of multi-state licensure and per diem structures require careful planning. States with nursing shortages often offer the best combination of high pay and low competition.
Top 10 Best States for Physician Assistant Salary
| # | State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 2 | Florida | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 3 | Nevada | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 5 | South Dakota | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 6 | Tennessee | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 7 | Texas | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 8 | Washington | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 9 | Wyoming | $130,020 | $20,452 | $0 | $9,947 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| 10 | North Dakota | $130,020 | $20,452 | $2,251 | $9,947 | $97,371 | 25.1% |
Bottom 10 Worst States for Physician Assistant Salary
| # | State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Vermont | $130,020 | $20,452 | $6,770 | $9,947 | $92,852 | 28.6% |
| 43 | Virginia | $130,020 | $20,452 | $6,960 | $9,947 | $92,662 | 28.7% |
| 44 | New York | $130,020 | $20,452 | $7,090 | $9,947 | $92,532 | 28.8% |
| 45 | Delaware | $130,020 | $20,452 | $7,350 | $9,947 | $92,271 | 29.0% |
| 46 | Minnesota | $130,020 | $20,452 | $7,510 | $9,947 | $92,112 | 29.2% |
| 47 | Maine | $130,020 | $20,452 | $7,759 | $9,947 | $91,863 | 29.3% |
| 48 | District of Columbia | $130,020 | $20,452 | $8,211 | $9,947 | $91,411 | 29.7% |
| 49 | California | $130,020 | $20,452 | $8,229 | $9,947 | $91,392 | 29.7% |
| 50 | Hawaii | $130,020 | $20,452 | $9,799 | $9,947 | $89,823 | 30.9% |
| 51 | Oregon | $130,020 | $20,452 | $10,878 | $9,947 | $88,744 | 31.7% |
Physician Assistant Take-Home Pay by City
San Francisco Bay Area leads compensation; New York City for specialty practice; Hartford CT for high pay in smaller market
When comparing city compensation, factor in cost of living differences. A $130,020 salary in a mid-cost city often provides more purchasing power than a 20-30% premium in San Francisco or New York.
How to turn these figures into an actual offer, what to ask for besides base pay and when to name a number, is covered in the guide to negotiating a salary offer.
| City | Gross Salary | Total Tax | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $130,020 | $37,488 | $92,532 | 28.8% |
| Seattle, WA | $130,020 | $30,398 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,020 | $38,628 | $91,392 | 29.7% |
| Hartford, CT | $130,020 | $36,950 | $93,070 | 28.4% |
| Anchorage, AK | $130,020 | $30,398 | $99,622 | 23.4% |
Calculate Physician Assistant Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Physician Assistant
Education: The typical path to becoming a Physician Assistant involves earning a Master's in Physician Assistant Studies from ARC-PA accredited program (requires bachelor's degree plus prerequisite courses and clinical hours). Some professionals enter the field through alternative pathways, but formal education provides the strongest foundation for long-term career growth.
Certifications: Key professional credentials for this role include PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), PANRE for recertification, specialty certificates (CAQ in surgery, emergency medicine, etc.). These certifications demonstrate expertise to employers and often directly correlate with higher compensation.
Skills & Tools: Proficiency with Electronic health records (Epic, Cerner), point-of-care ultrasound, medical imaging systems, clinical decision support tools, prescription management systems is expected for competitive candidates. Building a portfolio of work or gaining practical experience through internships, projects, or entry-level positions is essential for breaking into the field.
Timeline: Most professionals reach mid-level competency within 3-5 years of entering the field, with senior positions typically requiring 7-12 years of progressive experience.
Physician Assistant Career Outlook
Employment for the Physician Assistant role is projected to grow 27% from 2022-2032 (much faster than average) driven by physician shortages, expanded scope of practice, and team-based care models, reflecting strong demand driven by industry evolution and changing workforce needs. The most in-demand specializations include surgical PA, emergency medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, psychiatry, and hospitalist medicine.
AI and Automation Impact: AI diagnostic tools support clinical decision-making but patient relationships, complex differential diagnosis, and procedural skills keep PAs essential in healthcare delivery
Professionals who combine deep technical expertise with strong communication skills and adaptability will find the best opportunities in this evolving landscape.
The Physician Assistant sits in the middle of its adjacent group. Physician pays $252,000, $121,980 more, while Registered Nurse pays $86,070, $43,950 less, against this role's $130,020. A position in the middle is the most flexible one: it means both directions are open, and that the decision rests on what the work is rather than on what the next title pays, since the difference in either direction is a matter of thousands and not of multiples.
After tax the picture compresses. In California, this role's median leaves about $91,392, and across the whole adjacent group the spread between the highest and lowest take-home figure is $99,689 a year. That compression is the progressive schedule at work: a gross gap of ten thousand dollars between two neighbouring occupations is worth appreciably less once the marginal rate has taken its share, which is why a move made for the salary alone disappoints more often than the gross figures suggest.
Tax Tips for Physician Assistant Earnings
The strategies that apply to every salaried professional, the contribution limits, the bracket arithmetic and the question of moving to a state without an income tax, are set out once in the guide to tax strategies for salaried professionals rather than repeated on each occupation page.
Physician Assistant Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for a Physician Assistant in the United States is $130,020 in 2026. Compensation typically ranges from $76,800 for entry-level positions to $195,600 for experienced professionals in top-paying markets. Actual pay depends on experience, location, certifications, and employer size. On a median salary of $130,020, take-home pay works out to about $91,392 a year before state-specific credits.
On a $130,020 salary, a Physician Assistant takes home approximately $85,000-$105,000 after federal, state, and FICA taxes, depending on the state and filing status. In no-income-tax states like Texas or Florida, take-home pay is higher than in states like California or New York. On a median salary of $130,020, take-home pay works out to about $91,392 a year before state-specific credits.
Entry-level Physician Assistant professionals with 0-2 years of experience can expect to earn around $81,913 per year. Starting salaries vary significantly by location, with major metro areas offering 15-30% premiums over rural areas. On a median salary of $130,020, take-home pay works out to about $91,392 a year before state-specific credits.
The highest-paying states for Physician Assistant professionals include CT, WA, NY. However, when adjusted for cost of living, some mid-tier states offer better purchasing power. No-income-tax states provide an additional 3-9% effective pay boost. On a median salary of $130,020, take-home pay works out to about $91,392 a year before state-specific credits.
The median hourly equivalent for a Physician Assistant is approximately $62.51, based on 2,080 working hours per year. Actual hourly rates vary by experience level, with senior professionals earning $10-30 more per hour than entry-level. On a median salary of $130,020, take-home pay works out to about $91,392 a year before state-specific credits.
To become a Physician Assistant, you typically need Master's in Physician Assistant Studies from ARC-PA accredited program (requires bachelor's degree plus prerequisite courses and clinical hours). Valuable certifications include PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam), PANRE for recertification, specialty certificates (CAQ in surgery, emergency medicine, etc.). Most employers also value practical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions.
Employment for Physician Assistant professionals is projected to grow 27% from 2022-2032 (much faster than average) driven by physician shortages, expanded scope of practice, and team-based care models. AI diagnostic tools support clinical decision-making but patient relationships, complex differential diagnosis, and procedural skills keep PAs essential in healthcare delivery. The strongest opportunities are in surgical PA, emergency medicine, orthopedics, dermatology, psychiatry, and hospitalist medicine.
A Physician Assistant typically spends their day examining patients and diagnosing conditions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, performing minor surgical procedures, developing treatment plans, collaborating with supervising physicians, and managing patient panels independently in many states. The work environment involves hospitals, physician offices, urgent care clinics, or surgical centers; may include on-call responsibilities depending on specialty.
Personal finance and taxation expert. Specialized in US federal and state tax calculations, paycheck analysis, and helping Americans understand their take-home pay across all 50 states.
Sources & References
Tax rates, salary data, and deduction figures used on this page are sourced from official US government publications:
- IRS.gov, Federal income tax brackets, standard deductions, and tax procedures for the 2026 tax year
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for median salary data
- Social Security Administration (SSA.gov), Social Security wage base, FICA tax rates, and Medicare thresholds
- IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, Federal paycheck withholding calculations and verification
Last reviewed and updated: 2026-09-27. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice.