Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Arvada, CO: $107,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Arvada, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $107,167 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Arvada's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $102,064 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,345) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, newly graduated physician assistants can expect an entry-level salary in Arvada, Colorado, starting at about $107,167 annually. This figure is indicative of the lower end of the salary spectrum, with the city’s median salary for physician assistants reaching $142,345. The gap between these figures reflects the typical progression new grads experience in their careers. Over the first few years in the field, many can advance their earnings as they climb toward the 25th percentile at $127,973, gaining experience and competence. Given Arvada’s favorable market conditions, including a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, it's a promising place for new physician assistants looking to establish their careers.
About the Arvada Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Arvada
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arvada
Entry-level physician assistants in Arvada, CO typically start between $107,167 and $127,973 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $89,520 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,345 — 1.39% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Colorado of $85,000 represents just 79.32% of the starting physician assistant pay ($107,167/year) in Arvada. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Arvada
- 1Research the Arvada market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $107,167 to $127,973, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Arvada, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Arvada for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Arvada's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Arvada is $89,520 ( 83.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $107,167, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,687.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,898
2025 BLS Actual
$103,723
2026 Current Est.
$107,167
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Arvada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,898 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,483 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,051 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,723 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,725 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Arvada, CO grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $75,898 in 2019 to $103,723 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $110,725. New graduates entering the Arvada job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arvada metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Arvada
Employment opportunities for fresh graduates in Arvada often come from primary care and urgent care settings, which typically offer structured onboarding programs. Hospitals and clinics are likely to employ new grad physician assistants, providing support as they navigate early responsibilities. Holding a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining the NCCPA certification, and maintaining an active state PA license can significantly enhance new grad physician assistant pay in CO. Additionally, pursuing specialized certifications like the Certificate of Added Qualifications can unlock higher pay brackets, especially in surgical settings such as orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery. Realistically, in the first three years, fresh PAs may see their salaries grow from entry-level to the mid-range, driven not only by experience but also by the evolving landscape of PA practice, which has embraced the Optimal Team Practice model initiated post-2020.
More salary data for Arvada, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Arvada. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arvada is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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