PA Salary

Amherst Town vs Worcester: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Amherst Town, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst Town, MA
$139,337
$66.99/hr
Worcester, MA
$157,935
$75.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$139,337$157,935
Hourly Rate$66.99$75.93
Entry Level (P10)$103,134$112,237
25th Percentile$127,652$130,441
75th Percentile$170,984$172,183
Top Earner (P90)$174,322$201,691
Total Employed60470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($139,337) and Worcester ($157,935) physician assistant salaries.Amherst TownWorcesterMedian Salary$139,337$157,935Entry Level (P10)$103,134$112,237Top Earner (P90)$174,322$201,691US Median $140,391

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst Town.

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Worcester is $18,598 (13.35%). Worcester's median is +12.50% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst Town spans $71,188,Worcester spans $89,454. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$103,134
P25$127,652
Median$139,337
P75$170,984
P90 (Top)$174,322
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$112,237
P25$130,441
Median$157,935
P75$172,183
P90 (Top)$201,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($154,048 effective) pays 10.83% more than Amherst Town ($138,999 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $139,337
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $138,999
Worcester
Nominal: $157,935
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $154,048

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($157,935/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($201,691)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,048)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Amherst Town grew -0.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.8% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+-0.3%

$135,200 (2024) → $134,860 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+26.8%

$120,510 (2019) → $152,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Amherst Town or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median physician assistant salary at $157,935/year, compared to Amherst Town at $139,337/year — a difference of $18,598 (13.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst Town and Worcester?

Amherst Town physician assistants earn $66.99/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $75.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst Town to Worcester as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $138,999, Worcester = $154,048), job availability (60 vs 470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Amherst Town vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $103,134 in Amherst Town and $112,237 in Worcester. The Worcester area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov