PA Salary

Marlborough vs Springfield: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Marlborough, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Marlborough, MA
$150,583
$72.40/hr
Springfield, MA
$167,141
$80.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMarlborough, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$150,583$167,141
Hourly Rate$72.40$80.35
Entry Level (P10)$112,297$117,640
25th Percentile$133,717$144,028
75th Percentile$176,492$167,141
Top Earner (P90)$198,642$170,147
Total Employed10320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Marlborough ($150,583) and Springfield ($167,141) physician assistant salaries.MarlboroughSpringfieldMedian Salary$150,583$167,141Entry Level (P10)$112,297$117,640Top Earner (P90)$198,642$170,147US Median $140,391

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marlborough.

The salary gap between Marlborough and Springfield is $16,558 (11.00%). Springfield's median is +19.05% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Marlborough spans $86,345,Springfield spans $52,507. Marlborough has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Marlborough
P10 (Entry)$112,297
P25$133,717
Median$150,583
P75$176,492
P90 (Top)$198,642
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$117,640
P25$144,028
Median$167,141
P75$167,141
P90 (Top)$170,147

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($173,995 effective) pays 25.37% more than Marlborough ($138,786 effective).

Marlborough
Nominal: $150,583
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $138,786
Springfield
Nominal: $167,141
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $173,995

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Marlborough if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($198,642)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($167,141/year)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $173,995)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Marlborough grew -1.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.4% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Marlborough, MA

+-1.4%

$147,812 (2024) → $145,744 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+33.4%

$121,310 (2019) → $161,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Marlborough or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median physician assistant salary at $167,141/year, compared to Marlborough at $150,583/year — a difference of $16,558 (11.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Marlborough and Springfield?

Marlborough physician assistants earn $72.40/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $80.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Marlborough to Springfield as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Marlborough and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Marlborough = $138,786, Springfield = $173,995), job availability (10 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Marlborough vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $112,297 in Marlborough and $117,640 in Springfield. The Springfield 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