PA Salary

Boise vs Coeur d'Alene: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Boise, ID and Coeur d'Alene, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise, ID
$144,366
$69.41/hr
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$139,730
$67.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise, IDCoeur d'Alene, ID
Median Salary$144,366$139,730
Hourly Rate$69.41$67.18
Entry Level (P10)$96,819$107,876
25th Percentile$121,296$131,723
75th Percentile$177,096$158,100
Top Earner (P90)$208,136$166,108
Total Employed60110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise ($144,366) and Coeur d'Alene ($139,730) physician assistant salaries.BoiseCoeur d'AleneMedian Salary$144,366$139,730Entry Level (P10)$96,819$107,876Top Earner (P90)$208,136$166,108US Median $140,391

Verdict

Boise, ID offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Coeur d'Alene.

The salary gap between Boise and Coeur d'Alene is $4,636 (3.32%). Boise's median is +2.83% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise spans $111,317,Coeur d'Alene spans $58,232. Boise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boise
P10 (Entry)$96,819
P25$121,296
Median$144,366
P75$177,096
P90 (Top)$208,136
Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$107,876
P25$131,723
Median$139,730
P75$158,100
P90 (Top)$166,108

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise ($151,486 effective) pays 6.56% more than Coeur d'Alene ($142,157 effective).

Boise
Nominal: $144,366
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $151,486
Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $139,730
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $142,157

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,366/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($208,136)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,486)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Boise grew 17.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.3% growth in Coeur d'Alene over the same period.

Boise, ID

+17.9%

$118,540 (2024) → $139,727 (2025)

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+18.3%

$114,340 (2019) → $135,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Boise or Coeur d'Alene?

Boise has a higher median physician assistant salary at $144,366/year, compared to Coeur d'Alene at $139,730/year — a difference of $4,636 (3.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise and Coeur d'Alene?

Boise physician assistants earn $69.41/hr while Coeur d'Alene hygienists earn $67.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise to Coeur d'Alene as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise and Coeur d'Alene. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise = $151,486, Coeur d'Alene = $142,157), job availability (60 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Boise vs Coeur d'Alene?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $96,819 in Boise and $107,876 in Coeur d'Alene. The Coeur d'Alene area offers higher starting salaries.
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