PA Salary

Dallas vs El Paso: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Dallas, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$139,379
$67.01/hr
El Paso, TX
$110,780
$53.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$139,379$110,780
Hourly Rate$67.01$53.26
Entry Level (P10)$99,983$100,572
25th Percentile$132,446$108,248
75th Percentile$161,179$137,147
Top Earner (P90)$177,359$150,455
Total Employed3,230170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($139,379) and El Paso ($110,780) physician assistant salaries.DallasEl PasoMedian Salary$139,379$110,780Entry Level (P10)$99,983$100,572Top Earner (P90)$177,359$150,455US Median $140,391

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Paso.

The salary gap between Dallas and El Paso is $28,599 (25.82%). Dallas's median is -0.72% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $77,376,El Paso spans $49,883. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$99,983
P25$132,446
Median$139,379
P75$161,179
P90 (Top)$177,359
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$100,572
P25$108,248
Median$110,780
P75$137,147
P90 (Top)$150,455

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($135,201 effective) pays 9.73% more than El Paso ($123,209 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $139,379
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $135,201
El Paso
Nominal: $110,780
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $123,209

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,379/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($177,359)
  • Larger job market (3,230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,201)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Dallas grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.6% growth in El Paso over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+23.7%

$109,030 (2019) → $134,900 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+21.6%

$88,150 (2019) → $107,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Dallas or El Paso?

Dallas has a higher median physician assistant salary at $139,379/year, compared to El Paso at $110,780/year — a difference of $28,599 (25.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and El Paso?

Dallas physician assistants earn $67.01/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $53.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to El Paso as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $135,201, El Paso = $123,209), job availability (3,230 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Dallas vs El Paso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $99,983 in Dallas and $100,572 in El Paso. The El Paso 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