PA Salary

Boston vs Woburn: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Boston, MA and Woburn, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$147,138
$70.74/hr
Woburn, MA
$145,125
$69.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWoburn, MA
Median Salary$147,138$145,125
Hourly Rate$70.74$69.77
Entry Level (P10)$67,385$111,369
25th Percentile$132,270$127,966
75th Percentile$178,341$172,127
Top Earner (P90)$212,447$195,497
Total Employed3,55010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($147,138) and Woburn ($145,125) physician assistant salaries.BostonWoburnMedian Salary$147,138$145,125Entry Level (P10)$67,385$111,369Top Earner (P90)$212,447$195,497US Median $140,391

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woburn.

The salary gap between Boston and Woburn is $2,013 (1.39%). Boston's median is +4.81% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $145,062,Woburn spans $84,128. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$67,385
P25$132,270
Median$147,138
P75$178,341
P90 (Top)$212,447
Woburn
P10 (Entry)$111,369
P25$127,966
Median$145,125
P75$172,127
P90 (Top)$195,497

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($135,904 effective) pays 1.61% more than Woburn ($133,756 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $147,138
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $135,904
Woburn
Nominal: $145,125
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $133,756

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($147,138/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($212,447)
  • Larger job market (3,550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,904)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Woburn if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Boston grew 26.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.4% growth in Woburn over the same period.

Boston, MA

+26.6%

$112,520 (2019) → $142,410 (2025)

Woburn, MA

+-1.4%

$142,455 (2024) → $140,462 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Boston or Woburn?

Boston has a higher median physician assistant salary at $147,138/year, compared to Woburn at $145,125/year — a difference of $2,013 (1.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Woburn?

Boston physician assistants earn $70.74/hr while Woburn hygienists earn $69.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Woburn as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Woburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $135,904, Woburn = $133,756), job availability (3,550 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Boston vs Woburn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $67,385 in Boston and $111,369 in Woburn. The Woburn 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