Physician Assistant Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Physician Assistants in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $135,640 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $99,812 take-home, or $8,318 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physician assistant salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,288
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,410
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,967
- Pennsylvania income tax$4,164
- Take-home pay$99,812
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $5,073 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $94,739 ($7,895 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physician Assistant pay by experience in Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,720 | $49.87 | $78,613 | $6,551 |
| 25th percentile | $123,870 | $59.55 | $92,128 | $7,677 |
| Median (50th) | $135,640 | $65.21 | $99,812 | $8,318 |
| 75th percentile | $157,050 | $75.50 | $113,788 | $9,482 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,140 | $81.80 | $122,333 | $10,194 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $135,640 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physician assistant's $99,812 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,326 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physician Assistant jobs are about as common in Philadelphia, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for physician assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #5 of 12 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $137,240 | $105,070 | $106,530 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $167,650 | $117,004 | $103,945 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $134,900 | $103,470 | $100,369 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $125,230 | $93,016 | $98,252 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $135,640 | $99,812 | $97,326 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $134,650 | $100,142 | $96,928 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $161,890 | $108,987 | $95,968 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $131,830 | $96,020 | $95,734 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 12 metros →
About the job: physician assistants
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +21.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Physician Assistant salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $125,230
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Philadelphia, PA?
The median physician assistant salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $135,640 a year, or about $65.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $123,870 and $157,050.
What is a physician assistant’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $135,640 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $99,812 a year ($8,318 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,164 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $135,880. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,326 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #5 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physician assistant afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median physician assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $163,390
- Pharmacist — $148,740
- Nurse Practitioner — $135,700
- Physical Therapist — $105,790
- Occupational Therapist — $103,140
- Registered Nurse — $101,180
- Dental Hygienist — $100,820
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $100,080
- Respiratory Therapist — $88,790
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,190
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $70,710