Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Leesburg, FL: $93,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Leesburg, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $93,560 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leesburg's local price level (BEA RPP 100.8 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $92,817 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,156) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the physician assistant field in Leesburg, Florida, can anticipate a starting salary at the 10th percentile of approximately $93,560 in 2026. This figure represents a valuable entry point into a career where the median annual salary is projected to be $130,156, thus highlighting a sizable gap between initial earning potential and the overall market average. New graduates should be aware of a reasonable growth trajectory where salaries can increase to around $113,396 at the 25th percentile within the first few years, eventually aiming for the median as they gain experience and skills. Given the local job market, Leesburg offers promising opportunities for entry-level physician assistants, particularly with the growing healthcare landscape in the area.
About the Leesburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leesburg
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 Leesburg
Entry-level physician assistants in Leesburg, FL typically start between $93,560 and $113,396 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,591 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,156 — 7.29% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Florida of $75,000 represents just 80.16% of the starting physician assistant pay ($93,560/year) in Leesburg. 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 Leesburg
- 1Research the Leesburg market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $93,560 to $113,396, 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 FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Leesburg, 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 Leesburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leesburg'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 Leesburg is $79,591 ( 85.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $93,560, experienced hygienists can earn up to $173,151.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,262
2025 BLS Actual
$90,554
2026 Current Est.
$93,560
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Leesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,262 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,888 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,018 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,376 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,151 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,667 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Leesburg, FL grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,262 in 2019 to $90,554 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $96,667. New graduates entering the Leesburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leesburg 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 Leesburg
Employers in Leesburg that are likely to hire new graduate physician assistants include primary care practices and urgent care clinics, which often provide structured onboarding programs designed for recent graduates. Surgical subspecialty programs may recruit through PA residency or fellowship pathways, while hospital medicine groups sometimes offer night-only shifts that appeal to those looking for flexible schedules. To maximize starting pay in Florida, new PAs should ensure they have earned a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtained national certification as a PA-C from the NCCPA, and secured state licensure along with a DEA registration. A Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties can also provide an edge. Newly graduated physician assistants should expect a steady growth in their salaries within the first three years, particularly if they work in high-demand fields such as surgical assistance, where revenues from first-assist billing can influence compensation favorably. As the profession continues to evolve, following AAPA guidelines and understanding the collaborative nature of PA practice will be essential for career advancement.
More salary data for Leesburg, FL:
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 Leesburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leesburg 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