Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Middletown, DE: $100,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Middletown, DE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $100,836 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Middletown's local price level (BEA RPP 101.7 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $99,150 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,919) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a starting salary of around $100,836 for entry-level physician assistants in Middletown, Delaware, new graduates can expect to find varying compensation levels that reflect their first job’s responsibilities and the local healthcare market dynamics. This initial pay, while below the city median annual salary of $131,919, still presents a promising growth trajectory as professionals transition to higher pay brackets over the first few years. Moving towards the first quartile at $118,502, many new grads can realistically expect to rise in salary as they gain experience and skills, alongside the anticipated 3.32% annual growth rate projected for this profession. Given the overall demand for healthcare professionals, Middletown offers a favorable market for new PAs looking to establish their careers.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Middletown
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 Middletown
Entry-level physician assistants in Middletown, DE typically start between $100,836 and $118,502 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $71,890 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,919 — 6.03% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Delaware of $90,000 represents just 89.25% of the starting physician assistant pay ($100,836/year) in Middletown. 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 Middletown
- 1Research the Middletown market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $100,836 to $118,502, 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 DE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Middletown, 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 Middletown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Middletown'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 Middletown is $71,890 ( 71.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $100,836, experienced hygienists can earn up to $172,726.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,415
2025 BLS Actual
$97,596
2026 Current Est.
$100,836
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,541 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,696 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,596 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,184 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Middletown, DE grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,415 in 2019 to $97,596 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,184. New graduates entering the Middletown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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 Middletown
Employers in Middletown that hire new physician assistants typically include primary care clinics and urgent care centers, which often provide structured onboarding programs for fresh graduates. Surgical subspecialty practices may recruit new grads through residency or fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups sometimes offer night-only schedules that appeal to those seeking flexibility. To enhance starting pay and career advancement, new graduates should ensure they possess the necessary credentials, including a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, state licensure, and DEA registration. Within their first three years in the field, entry-level PAs can anticipate salary growth as they adapt to the practice environment, especially if they engage in subspecialties like orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, where first-assist billing can significantly increase earning potential.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Middletown in 2026?
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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 Middletown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Middletown 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