Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $109,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Indianapolis, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $109,488 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Indianapolis's local price level (BEA RPP 95.7 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $114,412 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,331) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Indianapolis, new graduates entering the physician assistant field can expect starting salaries that begin at around $109,488 in 2026. This figure sits below the city's median annual salary of $136,331, highlighting the initial financial gap for entry-level positions. Over the first few years of their careers, PAs can anticipate growth in their earnings, with projections indicating movement towards the 25th percentile salary of $129,522 within three to five years. For those considering this career path, Indianapolis is presenting a favorable market for new graduates, providing a solid platform for upward mobility in their salary trajectory.
Career Earnings Timeline in Indianapolis
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 Indianapolis
Entry-level physician assistants in Indianapolis, IN typically start between $109,488 and $129,522 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,636 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,331 — 2.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Indiana of $80,000 represents just 73.07% of the starting physician assistant pay ($109,488/year) in Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis
- 1Research the Indianapolis market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $109,488 to $129,522, 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 Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Indianapolis'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 Indianapolis is $73,636 ( 67.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $109,488, experienced hygienists can earn up to $183,124.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,390
2025 BLS Actual
$105,970
2026 Current Est.
$109,488
2019–2027 Growth
+97.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,123 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Indianapolis, IN grew 84.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,390 in 2019 to $105,970 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $113,123. New graduates entering the Indianapolis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
When searching for an entry-level position, new grad physician assistants in IN will find opportunities primarily in primary care and urgent care facilities, which often provide structured onboarding programs tailored for recent graduates. Hospitals and surgical subspecialty programs may also seek new PAs but typically through residency or fellowship pipelines that offer additional training. Holding a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited institution, attaining NCCPA certification, and obtaining a state PA license are vital credentials that can enhance starting salaries. New graduates should also consider pursuing a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties to further boost their marketability. In the first three years, strategic career moves, including roles in surgical settings like orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, can lead to significant financial rewards, given that these positions often allow for first-assist billing and command higher entry-level salaries.
More salary data for Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis. 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