Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Greeley, CO: $106,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Greeley, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $106,120 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Greeley's local price level (BEA RPP 100.2 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $105,934 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,017) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
The starting physician assistant salary in Greeley, CO, for 2026 is projected at $106,120, which is a realistic expectation for new graduates entering the field. This figure sits significantly below the city’s median salary of $139,017, highlighting an opportunity gap that new grads may need to consider as they embark on their careers. However, with a structured growth trajectory, recent graduates can expect their earnings to increase progressively. As PAs gain experience over the first 3-5 years, many will find themselves earning closer to $116,318 at the P25 level and on the path to reaching the median, making Greeley a promising market for entry-level professionals in this field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Greeley
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 Greeley
Entry-level physician assistants in Greeley, CO typically start between $106,120 and $116,318 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,440 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,017 — 0.98% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Colorado of $85,000 represents just 80.10% of the starting physician assistant pay ($106,120/year) in Greeley. 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 Greeley
- 1Research the Greeley market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $106,120 to $116,318, 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 Greeley, 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 Greeley for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Greeley'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 Greeley is $59,440 ( 56.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $106,120, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,560.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,970
2025 BLS Actual
$102,710
2026 Current Est.
$106,120
2019–2027 Growth
+232.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Greeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,643 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Greeley, CO grew 211.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,970 in 2019 to $102,710 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $109,643. New graduates entering the Greeley job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greeley 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 Greeley
Employers in Greeley that actively hire new grad physician assistants include primary care clinics and urgent care facilities, which typically have well-defined onboarding processes for fresh graduates. Additionally, certain surgical subspecialties may recruit new PAs through residency or fellowship programs, while hospital medicine groups often offer flexible night schedules. Credentials are crucial for enhancing starting pay in Colorado, as new graduates should have a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, national certification (PA-C), and a state license. As entry-level PAs begin their careers, they should focus on building experience that aligns with the expanding scope of practice, especially in surgery, where higher pay is often tied to first-assist billing. Realistically, those in their first few years can expect gradual pay increases, particularly if they pursue specialties where demand and compensation are greater.
More salary data for Greeley, 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 Greeley. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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