Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Franklin, IN: $95,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Franklin, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $95,327 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Franklin's local price level (BEA RPP 91.3 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,411 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,036) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, Indiana, the entry-level physician assistant salary is projected to start at around $95,327 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the pay scale for new graduates entering the profession, which provides a clear picture of realistic expectations. While this starting salary is below the city median annual income of $129,036, it sets a solid foundation for career advancement. In the typical growth trajectory for physician assistants, new graduates can expect salary increases over their first few years, with the possibility of reaching the 25th percentile pay of $113,918 as they gain experience. Given the competitive nature of medical employment opportunities in Franklin, this market can be promising for new graduates, especially within primary care settings and hospitals that prioritize comprehensive onboarding programs.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Franklin
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 Franklin
Entry-level physician assistants in Franklin, IN typically start between $95,327 and $113,918 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,396 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,036 — 8.09% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Indiana of $80,000 represents just 83.92% of the starting physician assistant pay ($95,327/year) in Franklin. 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 Franklin
- 1Research the Franklin market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $95,327 to $113,918, 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 IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Franklin, 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 Franklin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Franklin's below-average 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 Franklin is $78,396 ( 82.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $95,327, experienced hygienists can earn up to $173,723.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,513
2025 BLS Actual
$92,264
2026 Current Est.
$95,327
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,208 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,359 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,492 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Franklin, IN grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,513 in 2019 to $92,264 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $98,492. New graduates entering the Franklin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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 Franklin
Employers in Franklin looking to hire new-grad physician assistants often include primary care, urgent care facilities, and hospital medicine groups. These positions typically benefit from structured onboarding to help recent graduates transition smoothly. Furthermore, pursuing higher credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining NCCPA certification, and acquiring a state PA license can enhance starting pay opportunities in Indiana. In the first 1-3 years, new physician assistants should focus on developing skills within their scope of practice, which is largely defined by state law. For those interested in surgical pathways, specialties like orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery often offer the highest compensation due to first-assist billing practices. Overall, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, the Franklin market presents good potential for salary progression as new physicians assistants establish themselves in the field.
More salary data for Franklin, IN:
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 Franklin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin 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