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
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- 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
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 #50 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $223,640 | $146,400 | $132,581 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $140,160 | $107,065 | $113,038 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,290 | $125,609 | $113,026 |
| 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | $138,920 | $100,512 | $111,176 |
| 5 | Dayton, OH | $138,400 | $102,839 | $110,944 |
| 6 | Anchorage, AK | $152,710 | $115,643 | $109,698 |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $135,860 | $101,173 | $107,719 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $137,550 | $102,281 | $107,135 |
| 50 | Phoenix, AZ | $134,650 | $100,142 | $96,928 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
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 #50 of 71 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%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Pediatricians, General — $233,950
- Dentists, General — $194,180
- Veterinarian — $161,060
- Pharmacist — $144,490
- Nurse Practitioner — $136,270
- Optometrist — $115,960
- Occupational Therapist — $105,060
- Physical Therapist — $103,220
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $102,810