The 10th percentile for physician assistants nationally is $58,000, and the 90th percentile is $91,000. Most offers will fall somewhere in that band, though the average of $141,280 shows that a smaller group of physician assistants earns well above the 90th percentile figure. Use the $58,000 to $91,000 range as your primary benchmarking guide for typical hires.
Physician assistant salary in the US (2026)
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Physician assistant salary in the US (2026)
The average physician assistant salary in the US is $141,280. The median of $99,380 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, since it reflects what a typical physician assistant earns without being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the range. State, specialty, and practice setting drive wide variation in physician assistant pay, so you should benchmark against the specific market and clinical context you are hiring into.
Physician assistant salary in the US (2026)
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $141,280 |
Median annual salary | $99,380 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 162,150 employed physician assistants across the US.
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Physician assistant salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual salary |
10th percentile | $58,000 |
25th percentile | $65,000 |
75th percentile | — |
90th percentile | $91,000 |
For most physician assistant hires, setting an offer between $65,000 and $91,000 will cover the broad middle of the market nationally. The average of $141,280 runs well above the 90th percentile of $91,000, which signals that a small group of very high earners pulls the mean upward — anchor your offers to the median and percentile range rather than the average to avoid overpaying for typical roles.
How physician assistant salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
California | $169,110 | $99,380 |
Washington | $164,430 | $125,580 |
New York | $155,150 | $106,440 |
Massachusetts | $146,480 | $65,220 |
Virginia | $142,630 | $98,330 |
Colorado | $139,580 | $104,590 |
Texas | $135,850 | $102,650 |
Florida | $134,470 | $98,530 |
Illinois | $131,880 | $105,160 |
Georgia | $112,090 | $62,230 |
Where you hire a physician assistant matters as much as the role itself, so build your compensation budget around the state-level median rather than the national figure. Washington's median of $125,580 and New York's median of $106,440 sit well above Georgia's median of $62,230, meaning a single national pay band will either overpay in lower-cost states or leave you uncompetitive in higher-cost ones.
Frequently asked questions about physician assistant salary in the US
What is the salary range for a physician assistant in the US?
What is the average physician assistant salary in the US?
The average physician assistant salary in the US is $141,280. However, the median of $99,380 is a more practical anchor for setting offers, since the average is pulled upward by high earners in specialized or high-cost markets. For most hiring situations, budgeting closer to the median will keep your offer competitive without overspending.
What do the top-earning physician assistants make nationally?
The 90th percentile for physician assistants nationally is $91,000, but the average of $141,280 sits well above that figure. This tells you that a concentrated group of very high earners pushes the mean significantly higher than what most physician assistants earn. When competing for senior physician assistant talent, expect candidates with specialized experience or in high-demand markets to command offers above $91,000.
Which states pay the most for physician assistants?
California, Washington, and New York offer the highest average physician assistant salaries, at $169,110, $164,430, and $155,150 respectively. If you are hiring in any of these states, budget above the national median of $99,380 to remain competitive. Washington also carries the highest state median at $125,580, making it the most consistently high-paying market in this data set.
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Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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