PA Salary

Goodyear vs Tucson: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Goodyear, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Goodyear, AZ
$137,905
$66.30/hr
Tucson, AZ
$134,192
$64.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoodyear, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$137,905$134,192
Hourly Rate$66.30$64.51
Entry Level (P10)$96,687$103,072
25th Percentile$118,729$124,893
75th Percentile$165,040$167,523
Top Earner (P90)$198,555$213,542
Total Employed15290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goodyear ($137,905) and Tucson ($134,192) physician assistant salaries.GoodyearTucsonMedian Salary$137,905$134,192Entry Level (P10)$96,687$103,072Top Earner (P90)$198,555$213,542US Median $140,391

Verdict

Goodyear and Tucson are closely matched on overall physician assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Goodyear and Tucson is $3,713 (2.77%). Goodyear's median is -1.77% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goodyear spans $101,868,Tucson spans $110,470. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

Goodyear
P10 (Entry)$96,687
P25$118,729
Median$137,905
P75$165,040
P90 (Top)$198,555
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$103,072
P25$124,893
Median$134,192
P75$167,523
P90 (Top)$213,542

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Goodyear ($140,005 effective) pays 1.09% more than Tucson ($138,491 effective).

Goodyear
Nominal: $137,905
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $140,005
Tucson
Nominal: $134,192
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $138,491

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Goodyear if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,905/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,005)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($213,542)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Goodyear grew 6.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.6% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Goodyear, AZ

+6.3%

$125,613 (2024) → $133,474 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+13.6%

$114,290 (2019) → $129,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Goodyear or Tucson?

Goodyear has a higher median physician assistant salary at $137,905/year, compared to Tucson at $134,192/year — a difference of $3,713 (2.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goodyear and Tucson?

Goodyear physician assistants earn $66.30/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $64.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Goodyear to Tucson as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goodyear and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goodyear = $140,005, Tucson = $138,491), job availability (15 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Goodyear vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $96,687 in Goodyear and $103,072 in Tucson. The Tucson 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