Physician Assistant Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Physician Assistants in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $134,650 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $100,142 take-home, or $8,345 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physician assistant salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,050
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,348
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,952
- Arizona income tax$3,158
- Take-home pay$100,142
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physician Assistant pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,860 | $51.38 | $81,543 | $6,795 |
| 25th percentile | $124,120 | $59.67 | $93,208 | $7,767 |
| Median (50th) | $134,650 | $64.74 | $100,142 | $8,345 |
| 75th percentile | $153,600 | $73.85 | $112,620 | $9,385 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,920 | $83.62 | $126,001 | $10,500 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,650 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physician assistant's $100,142 take-home pay has the buying power of $96,928 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 1.2× the national concentration of physician assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physician assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #6 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median physician assistant salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $134,650 a year, or about $64.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $124,120 and $153,600.
What is a physician assistant’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $134,650 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $100,142 a year ($8,345 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,158 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $135,880. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $96,928 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #6 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physician assistant afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median physician assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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