Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Boise City, ID: $100,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Boise City, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $100,541 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boise City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.4 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $102,185 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,275) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boise City, ID, the starting physician assistant salary reflects a progressive trajectory for recent graduates entering the field. New grad physician assistant pay in 2026 anticipates a minimum of $100,541, which is a starting point that sets the stage for future salary growth. While this amount sits below the city median of $139,275, the difference allows for substantial upward mobility as early-career professionals gain experience and refine their skills. Over the first three to five years, the salary range expands significantly, with opportunities for new graduates to reach approximately $133,634 as they establish themselves in the healthcare landscape. Given Boise City's healthcare infrastructure and continued demand for physician assistants, it remains a favorable environment for new graduates looking to embark on their PA journey.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boise City
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 Boise City
Entry-level physician assistants in Boise City, ID typically start between $100,541 and $133,634 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,895 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,275 — 0.79% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Idaho of $65,000 represents just 64.65% of the starting physician assistant pay ($100,541/year) in Boise City. 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 Boise City
- 1Research the Boise City market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $100,541 to $133,634, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Boise City, 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 Boise City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boise City'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 Boise City is $64,895 ( 64.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $100,541, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,436.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,340
2025 BLS Actual
$97,310
2026 Current Est.
$100,541
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,879 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Boise City, ID grew 12.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $86,340 in 2019 to $97,310 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,879. New graduates entering the Boise City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise City 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 Boise City
In terms of employment opportunities, Boise City has a variety of healthcare employers actively seeking entry-level physician assistants. Primary care and urgent care facilities often recruit new grads, offering structured onboarding programs that help ease the transition into practice. Surgical subspecialties, including orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, may look to PA residency and fellowship pipelines, enhancing the experience and clinical exposure of new practitioners. Attaining credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a valid state PA license significantly enhances earning potential. A focus on continuing education, including optional Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties, will help accelerate career advancement. Realistically, during the initial years, entry-level physician assistants can expect to see their salaries grow modestly, particularly through opportunities within surgical settings where higher compensation is typical due to first-assist billing practices. In a city that has embraced the Optimal Team Practice model post-2020, new PAs have the chance to advance their careers rapidly while continuing to support collaborative care delivery.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
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 Boise City. 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