Healthcare · United States

Physician Assistant Salary in United States

The United States median is $147,000 per year, with observed city pay up to Washington DC at $211,000.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Physician Assistant pay in United States: Washington DC leads, Chicago trails

The United States national median for a physician assistant is $147,000 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $128,000 in Chicago to $211,000 in Washington DC (1.6×).

Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under a physician's supervision. Common screening skills include Diagnosis, Treatment, Prescribing, and EMR.

A modeled national band runs about $107,300–$195,500 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +27% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +44% vs the national median; Chicago sits -13%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A physician assistant raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby healthcare titles on this site include Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, and Pharmacist.

How to use Physician Assistant pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($147,000), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $107,300 (10th) → $147,000 (median) → $195,500 (90th). Washington DC’s observed median is $211,000, with a local band about $149,000–$299,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Washington DC, you may still be under local market.

National median
$147,000
per year
Monthly (national)
$12,300
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$211,000
Washington DC, DC
Hourly (national)
$70.67
varies by city

Physician Assistant salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Washington DC, DC$211,000
San Diego, CA$191,000
Los Angeles, CA$162,000
Houston, TX$137,000
Philadelphia, PA$136,000
Phoenix, AZ$135,000
Dallas, TX$135,000
San Antonio, TX$130,000
Chicago, IL$128,000

Physician Assistant salary in other countries

Related Healthcare salaries in United States

Frequently asked questions

How much does a physician assistant make in United States?
The national median is about $147,000 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $128,000 to $211,000.
Which United States city pays physician assistants the most?
Washington DC, DC leads observed metros at about $211,000 per year (+44% vs national).
Which United States city pays physician assistants the least?
Among observed cities, Chicago, IL is on the lower end at about $128,000 per year.
How many United States cities have physician assistant salary data?
9 metros list observed physician assistant percentiles in USD on this site.
Is physician assistant in demand in United States?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +27% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.