Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Melbourne, FL: $96,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Melbourne, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,087 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Melbourne's local price level (BEA RPP 100.8 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $95,324 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,274) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting a career as a physician assistant in Melbourne, Florida can be lucrative, with an entry-level physician assistant salary projected at $96,087 in 2026. While this figure reflects the early pay for new graduates, it’s important to note that it falls below the city’s median annual salary of $131,274. This gap illustrates the typical trajectory for those in their first few years, as many PAs can expect to see their salaries rise over time, reaching around $115,653 by the 25th percentile after gaining some experience. Given the strong growth rate of 3.32% annually, Melbourne presents a promising job market for new graduates eager to begin their careers in healthcare.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Melbourne
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 Melbourne
Entry-level physician assistants in Melbourne, FL typically start between $96,087 and $115,653 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $84,184 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,274 — 6.49% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Florida of $75,000 represents just 78.05% of the starting physician assistant pay ($96,087/year) in Melbourne. 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 Melbourne
- 1Research the Melbourne market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $96,087 to $115,653, 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 Melbourne, 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 Melbourne for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Melbourne'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 Melbourne is $84,184 ( 87.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,087, experienced hygienists can earn up to $180,271.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,051
2025 BLS Actual
$92,999
2026 Current Est.
$96,087
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,051 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,775 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,438 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,999 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,277 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Melbourne, FL grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,051 in 2019 to $92,999 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,277. New graduates entering the Melbourne job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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 Melbourne
In Melbourne, hiring new graduate physician assistants typically occurs within primary care and urgent care facilities, which often have structured onboarding programs designed to help novices acclimate quickly. More specialized environments, such as surgical subspecialty programs, frequently recruit through residency and fellowship pathways tailored for PAs, while hospital medicine groups may offer schedules for those interested in night-only shifts. To enhance their earning potential, new grads should prioritize obtaining credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, the NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a state license, along with optional Certificates of Added Qualifications. As new physician assistants start their journey, understanding that their scope of practice is influenced by state law and the supervision of physicians can provide clarity and direction. Surgical PAs, particularly those working in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, tend to command higher salaries, paving a way for upward mobility in the profession over their first few years.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Melbourne in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Melbourne?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Melbourne?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Melbourne?
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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 Melbourne. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Melbourne 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