Physician Assistant Salary
Physician Assistants earn a median $135,880 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$135,880
$65.33 per hour
Range
$99,380 – $190,280
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
162,150
across the U.S.
▲2.0%
Pay trend: The median for physician assistants in the U.S. rose from $133,260 (May 2024) to $135,880 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What physician assistants do
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)
- Openings per year
- 11,500
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 21.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 11,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Physician Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$104,140
per year · effective tax rate 23.4%
$8,678Monthly
$4,339Twice a month
$4,005Every 2 weeks
$50.07Hourly
- Federal income tax$21,345
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,425
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,970
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$104,140
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,380 | $47.78 | $78,744 |
| 25th percentile | $120,670 | $58.01 | $93,721 |
| Median (50th) | $135,880 | $65.33 | $104,140 |
| 75th percentile | $163,980 | $78.84 | $123,346 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $190,280 | $91.48 | $141,681 |
Best cities for physician assistants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $137,240 | $105,070 | $106,530 | 2,390 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $167,650 | $117,004 | $103,945 | 16,800 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $134,900 | $103,470 | $100,369 | 3,230 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $125,230 | $93,016 | $98,252 | 2,560 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $135,640 | $99,812 | $97,326 | 3,390 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $134,650 | $100,142 | $96,928 | 3,050 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $161,890 | $108,987 | $95,968 | 3,890 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $131,830 | $96,020 | $95,734 | 2,400 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $148,200 | $102,932 | $94,534 | 3,020 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $142,410 | $101,703 | $93,938 | 3,550 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $127,940 | $92,525 | $89,314 | 3,050 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $111,810 | $82,308 | $82,260 | 3,970 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $167,650
- Los Angeles, CA — $161,890
- Washington, DC — $148,200
- Boston, MA — $142,410
- Houston, TX — $137,240
- Philadelphia, PA — $135,640
- Dallas, TX — $134,900
- Phoenix, AZ — $134,650
- Detroit, MI — $131,830
- Chicago, IL — $127,940
- Pittsburgh, PA — $125,230
- Atlanta, GA — $111,810
Physician Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 | +17.9% | $116,151 | $117,860 – $207,000 | 4,790 |
| California | $165,650 | +2.8% | $111,158 | $99,380 – $225,190 | 13,600 |
| Washington | $164,360 | +4.7% | $123,606 | $125,580 – $218,150 | 3,540 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 | +0.6% | $112,356 | $79,280 – $178,110 | 530 |
| New York | $160,880 | +5.4% | $112,776 | $106,440 – $201,410 | 19,140 |
| Oregon | $155,780 | +4.5% | $104,620 | $123,100 – $198,490 | 2,250 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 | +9.9% | $114,447 | $119,540 – $175,380 | 1,060 |
| Alaska | $150,700 | +10.5% | $114,269 | $106,060 – $201,270 | 700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 | +8.6% | $106,475 | $112,460 – $186,960 | 410 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 | +3.1% | $101,703 | $65,220 – $204,140 | 4,470 |
| Montana | $141,470 | +6.4% | $101,329 | $112,200 – $165,560 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $141,190 | +1.4% | $99,519 | $112,390 – $183,320 | 3,660 |
| Rhode Island | $139,930 | −1.2% | $101,863 | $98,760 – $200,030 | 810 |
| New Mexico | $139,920 | −0.1% | $101,376 | $70,010 – $172,900 | 700 |
| Connecticut | $139,860 | +1.0% | $100,619 | $106,380 – $180,900 | 3,570 |
| Delaware | $139,350 | +0.5% | $98,656 | $108,560 – $175,970 | 860 |
| Maryland | $137,560 | +2.6% | $99,025 | $110,190 – $174,280 | 2,950 |
| Oklahoma | $136,550 | +4.4% | $98,999 | $102,890 – $173,010 | 1,770 |
| Wyoming | $136,080 | +2.1% | $104,277 | $102,320 – $177,900 | 330 |
| Virginia | $135,940 | +0.3% | $97,179 | $98,330 – $213,010 | 4,340 |
| District of Columbia | $135,140 | +3.1% | $95,116 | $84,520 – $213,560 | 470 |
| Missouri | $135,130 | −2.9% | $98,214 | $82,690 – $169,650 | 2,300 |
| Iowa | $134,770 | +1.0% | $98,912 | $102,330 – $182,940 | 1,200 |
| Utah | $134,740 | +0.3% | $98,263 | $82,910 – $171,430 | 1,610 |
| Nevada | $134,660 | +0.9% | $103,306 | $60,040 – $175,300 | 1,090 |
| Arizona | $134,650 | −0.4% | $100,142 | $106,030 – $174,420 | 3,750 |
| Texas | $134,550 | +1.3% | $103,231 | $102,650 – $169,000 | 10,110 |
| Colorado | $134,540 | +2.0% | $98,013 | $104,590 – $174,090 | 3,270 |
| Wisconsin | $133,950 | +0.9% | $97,102 | $102,420 – $169,150 | 3,580 |
| Idaho | $133,790 | +3.7% | $96,729 | $100,590 – $160,120 | 1,320 |
| North Dakota | $133,450 | +5.8% | $101,136 | $77,300 – $173,860 | 510 |
| South Dakota | $133,200 | +4.0% | $102,308 | $104,660 – $158,020 | 680 |
| Nebraska | $133,040 | +3.7% | $97,025 | $103,720 – $165,540 | 1,330 |
| Ohio | $132,090 | +4.2% | $98,699 | $96,460 – $210,350 | 4,900 |
| Indiana | $132,050 | −0.1% | $97,656 | $105,810 – $196,280 | 2,110 |
| Illinois | $131,950 | +7.3% | $95,067 | $105,160 – $162,330 | 3,790 |
| Michigan | $131,510 | −0.4% | $95,815 | $104,000 – $162,570 | 6,310 |
| Maine | $131,170 | −0.1% | $93,038 | $107,630 – $169,250 | 1,030 |
| Florida | $129,620 | +1.9% | $99,861 | $98,530 – $181,610 | 9,310 |
| North Carolina | $129,360 | +0.6% | $95,031 | $101,100 – $164,770 | 7,490 |
| Louisiana | $128,870 | −0.6% | $95,869 | $100,920 – $162,200 | 1,360 |
| West Virginia | $128,610 | +4.6% | $93,907 | $98,200 – $160,890 | 1,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $127,070 | +1.8% | $94,217 | $99,050 – $158,690 | 9,020 |
| Kansas | $125,640 | +1.0% | $90,930 | $98,280 – $168,480 | 890 |
| South Carolina | $122,490 | +2.8% | $88,796 | $77,620 – $158,860 | 2,250 |
| Kentucky | $120,760 | +9.5% | $89,676 | $79,550 – $161,820 | 1,360 |
| Arkansas | $118,430 | +14.4% | $87,739 | $88,160 – $159,080 | 850 |
| Tennessee | $118,240 | +3.7% | $92,012 | $93,380 – $141,670 | 2,240 |
| Georgia | $115,390 | +4.9% | $84,641 | $62,230 – $172,050 | 5,610 |
| Mississippi | $105,920 | +1.3% | $79,840 | $44,030 – $165,630 | 320 |
| Alabama | $104,960 | +3.3% | $77,686 | $83,020 – $145,100 | 930 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.5% |
| Nurse Midwive | $134,040 | Master's degree | +11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree | +41.0% |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.2% |
| Veterinarian | $130,100 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.4% |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $115,210 | Master's degree | +5.5% |
| Podiatrist | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
| Dentists, General | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make?
The national median salary for physician assistants is $135,880 a year ($65.33 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $99,380 and the top 10% earn over $190,280. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays physician assistants the most?
New Jersey has the highest median pay at $165,690. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many physician assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 162,150 people work as physician assistants nationwide.