Physician Assistant Salary in Washington, DC
Physician Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $148,200 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $102,932 take-home, or $8,578 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physician assistant salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$24,302
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,188
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,149
- District of Columbia income tax$9,629
- Take-home pay$102,932
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $108,030 | $51.94 | $78,615 | $6,551 |
| 25th percentile | $129,990 | $62.50 | $92,034 | $7,669 |
| Median (50th) | $148,200 | $71.25 | $102,932 | $8,578 |
| 75th percentile | $174,280 | $83.79 | $118,541 | $9,878 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,750 | $102.76 | $143,854 | $11,988 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $148,200 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physician assistant's $102,932 take-home pay has the buying power of $94,534 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for physician assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $148,200 | $102,932 | $94,534 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median physician assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $148,200 a year, or about $71.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $129,990 and $174,280.
What is a physician assistant’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $148,200 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $102,932 a year ($8,578 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,629 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $135,880. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $94,534 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #9 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physician assistant afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median physician assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Physical Therapist — $102,980
- Occupational Therapist — $102,960
- Registered Nurse — $102,710
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,960
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- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,300