Physician Assistants
SOC 29-1071 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Physician Assistants is $130,020, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $130,490, and an estimated 145,740 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +12.7% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -4.3% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 20.4% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Physician Assistants has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $130,020 | $130,020 | 145,740 |
| 2022 | $126,010 | $131,197 | 140,910 |
| 2021 | $121,530 | $136,659 | 132,940 |
| 2020 | $115,390 | $135,850 | 125,280 |
Nominal change
+12.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-4.3%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+20.4%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
162,700
Projected 2034
195,800
Annual Openings
12,000
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Physician Assistants earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $130,020. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $160,230 | +23.2% | 50 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $159,550 | +22.7% | 80 |
| Nevada | $158,720 | +22.1% | 1,450 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $157,870 | +21.4% | 80 |
| California | $157,490 | +21.1% | 12,880 |
| Washington | $156,930 | +20.7% | 3,240 |
| West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $153,670 | +18.2% | 70 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $149,190 | +14.7% | 50 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $147,310 | +13.3% | 90 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $145,170 | +11.7% | 130 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$86,280
25th Pct
$108,100
Median
$130,020
75th Pct
$151,720
90th Pct
$170,790
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Hospital | CT | 2 | $180,451 |
| Christiana Care Health Services, Inc. | DE | 1 | $117,083 |
| University of Pittsburgh Physicians | PA | 1 | $117,150 |
| North Country Adult Medicine, PLLC | NY | 1 | $101,421 |
| University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center | OH | 1 | $175,094 |
| University of Chicago Medical Center | IL | 1 | $90,200 |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | 1 | $130,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →