PA Salary

Lacey vs Spokane: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Lacey, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lacey, WA
$157,747
$75.84/hr
Spokane, WA
$152,469
$73.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLacey, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$157,747$152,469
Hourly Rate$75.84$73.31
Entry Level (P10)$120,027$118,198
25th Percentile$142,520$133,903
75th Percentile$186,152$165,374
Top Earner (P90)$227,881$202,197
Total Employed12350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lacey ($157,747) and Spokane ($152,469) physician assistant salaries.LaceySpokaneMedian Salary$157,747$152,469Entry Level (P10)$120,027$118,198Top Earner (P90)$227,881$202,197US Median $140,391

Verdict

Lacey, WA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Lacey and Spokane is $5,278 (3.46%). Lacey's median is +12.36% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lacey spans $107,854,Spokane spans $83,999. Lacey has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lacey
P10 (Entry)$120,027
P25$142,520
Median$157,747
P75$186,152
P90 (Top)$227,881
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$118,198
P25$133,903
Median$152,469
P75$165,374
P90 (Top)$202,197

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($151,943 effective) pays 3.45% more than Lacey ($146,878 effective).

Lacey
Nominal: $157,747
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $146,878
Spokane
Nominal: $152,469
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $151,943

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lacey if…

  • Higher median salary ($157,747/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($227,881)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,943)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Lacey grew 3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.7% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Lacey, WA

+3.4%

$147,636 (2024) → $152,678 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+19.7%

$123,330 (2019) → $147,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Lacey or Spokane?

Lacey has a higher median physician assistant salary at $157,747/year, compared to Spokane at $152,469/year — a difference of $5,278 (3.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lacey and Spokane?

Lacey physician assistants earn $75.84/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $73.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lacey to Spokane as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lacey and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lacey = $146,878, Spokane = $151,943), job availability (12 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Lacey vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $120,027 in Lacey and $118,198 in Spokane. The Lacey 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