Salt Lake City vs Tooele: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)
Compare physician assistant salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and Tooele, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Tooele, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $134,564 | $136,485▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $64.70 | $65.62▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,518 | $107,781▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $133,355▲ | $125,628 |
| 75th Percentile | $159,123 | $159,143▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $176,997 | $191,928▲ |
| Total Employed | 810▲ | 8 |
Verdict
Tooele, UT offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salt Lake City.
The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Tooele is $1,921 (1.43%). Tooele's median is -2.78% compared to the US national median of $140,391.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salt Lake City spans $91,479,Tooele spans $84,147. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Tooele ($139,128 effective) pays 4.29% more than Salt Lake City ($133,406 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Salt Lake City if…
- ✓Larger job market (810 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Choose Tooele if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($136,485/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($191,928)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,128)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Salt Lake City grew 29.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.2% growth in Tooele over the same period.
Salt Lake City, UT
$100,900 (2019) → $130,240 (2025)
Tooele, UT
$115,627 (2024) → $132,099 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Salt Lake City, UT
Tooele, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays physician assistants more: Salt Lake City or Tooele?
What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and Tooele?
Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to Tooele as a physician assistant?
What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Salt Lake City vs Tooele?
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.
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