PA Salary

Dundalk vs Hagerstown: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Dundalk, MD and Hagerstown, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dundalk, MD
$148,213
$71.26/hr
Hagerstown, MD
$141,776
$68.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDundalk, MDHagerstown, MD
Median Salary$148,213$141,776
Hourly Rate$71.26$68.16
Entry Level (P10)$109,092$114,179
25th Percentile$131,031$128,313
75th Percentile$180,805$163,783
Top Earner (P90)$204,289$172,224
Total Employed10120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dundalk ($148,213) and Hagerstown ($141,776) physician assistant salaries.DundalkHagerstownMedian Salary$148,213$141,776Entry Level (P10)$109,092$114,179Top Earner (P90)$204,289$172,224US Median $140,391

Verdict

Dundalk, MD offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Dundalk and Hagerstown is $6,437 (4.54%). Dundalk's median is +5.57% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dundalk spans $95,197,Hagerstown spans $58,045. Dundalk has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dundalk
P10 (Entry)$109,092
P25$131,031
Median$148,213
P75$180,805
P90 (Top)$204,289
Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$114,179
P25$128,313
Median$141,776
P75$163,783
P90 (Top)$172,224

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hagerstown ($150,552 effective) pays 11.02% more than Dundalk ($135,602 effective).

Dundalk
Nominal: $148,213
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $135,602
Hagerstown
Nominal: $141,776
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $150,552

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dundalk if…

  • Higher median salary ($148,213/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($204,289)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,552)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Dundalk grew 2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.5% growth in Hagerstown over the same period.

Dundalk, MD

+2.9%

$139,354 (2024) → $143,450 (2025)

Hagerstown, MD

+27.5%

$107,650 (2019) → $137,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Dundalk or Hagerstown?

Dundalk has a higher median physician assistant salary at $148,213/year, compared to Hagerstown at $141,776/year — a difference of $6,437 (4.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dundalk and Hagerstown?

Dundalk physician assistants earn $71.26/hr while Hagerstown hygienists earn $68.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dundalk to Hagerstown as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dundalk and Hagerstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dundalk = $135,602, Hagerstown = $150,552), job availability (10 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Dundalk vs Hagerstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $109,092 in Dundalk and $114,179 in Hagerstown. The Hagerstown 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