PA Salary

Cleveland vs Sandusky: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Cleveland, OH and Sandusky, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$140,371
$67.49/hr
Sandusky, OH
$131,961
$63.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHSandusky, OH
Median Salary$140,371$131,961
Hourly Rate$67.49$63.44
Entry Level (P10)$108,548$99,891
25th Percentile$121,267$118,275
75th Percentile$153,224$158,572
Top Earner (P90)$237,233$180,488
Total Employed7505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($140,371) and Sandusky ($131,961) physician assistant salaries.ClevelandSanduskyMedian Salary$140,371$131,961Entry Level (P10)$108,548$99,891Top Earner (P90)$237,233$180,488US Median $140,391

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sandusky.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Sandusky is $8,410 (6.37%). Cleveland's median is -0.01% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $128,685,Sandusky spans $80,597. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$108,548
P25$121,267
Median$140,371
P75$153,224
P90 (Top)$237,233
Sandusky
P10 (Entry)$99,891
P25$118,275
Median$131,961
P75$158,572
P90 (Top)$180,488

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($149,453 effective) pays 2.72% more than Sandusky ($145,492 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $140,371
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $149,453
Sandusky
Nominal: $131,961
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $145,492

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,371/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($237,233)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,453)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Sandusky if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Cleveland grew 22.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Sandusky over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+22.3%

$111,070 (2019) → $135,860 (2025)

Sandusky, OH

+16.1%

$109,966 (2024) → $127,721 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Cleveland or Sandusky?

Cleveland has a higher median physician assistant salary at $140,371/year, compared to Sandusky at $131,961/year — a difference of $8,410 (6.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Sandusky?

Cleveland physician assistants earn $67.49/hr while Sandusky hygienists earn $63.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Sandusky as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Sandusky. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $149,453, Sandusky = $145,492), job availability (750 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Cleveland vs Sandusky?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $108,548 in Cleveland and $99,891 in Sandusky. The Cleveland 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