PA Salary

Bartlett vs Champaign: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Bartlett, IL and Champaign, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bartlett, IL
$135,070
$64.94/hr
Champaign, IL
$144,596
$69.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBartlett, ILChampaign, IL
Median Salary$135,070$144,596
Hourly Rate$64.94$69.52
Entry Level (P10)$99,464$110,935
25th Percentile$119,007$143,873
75th Percentile$160,111$164,351
Top Earner (P90)$177,025$164,351
Total Employed9120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bartlett ($135,070) and Champaign ($144,596) physician assistant salaries.BartlettChampaignMedian Salary$135,070$144,596Entry Level (P10)$99,464$110,935Top Earner (P90)$177,025$164,351US Median $140,391

Verdict

Champaign, IL offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bartlett.

The salary gap between Bartlett and Champaign is $9,526 (7.05%). Champaign's median is +3.00% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bartlett spans $77,561,Champaign spans $53,416. Bartlett has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bartlett
P10 (Entry)$99,464
P25$119,007
Median$135,070
P75$160,111
P90 (Top)$177,025
Champaign
P10 (Entry)$110,935
P25$143,873
Median$144,596
P75$164,351
P90 (Top)$164,351

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Champaign ($155,976 effective) pays 12.13% more than Bartlett ($139,104 effective).

Bartlett
Nominal: $135,070
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $139,104
Champaign
Nominal: $144,596
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $155,976

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bartlett if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($177,025)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Champaign if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,596/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,976)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Bartlett grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.8% growth in Champaign over the same period.

Bartlett, IL

+9.7%

$119,151 (2024) → $130,730 (2025)

Champaign, IL

+16.8%

$119,850 (2019) → $139,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Bartlett or Champaign?

Champaign has a higher median physician assistant salary at $144,596/year, compared to Bartlett at $135,070/year — a difference of $9,526 (7.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bartlett and Champaign?

Bartlett physician assistants earn $64.94/hr while Champaign hygienists earn $69.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bartlett to Champaign as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bartlett and Champaign. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bartlett = $139,104, Champaign = $155,976), job availability (9 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Bartlett vs Champaign?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $99,464 in Bartlett and $110,935 in Champaign. The Champaign 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