Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Richmond, IN: $91,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Richmond, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $91,667 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Richmond's local price level (BEA RPP 91.3 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $100,402 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($127,732) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates stepping into the role of a physician assistant in Richmond, IN, can expect a starting salary around $91,667, significantly lower than the city's median of $127,732. This gap indicates that while entry-level positions provide a launching pad for budding professionals, they also highlight the need for realistic salary expectations. Over the first few years, as one gains experience and demonstrates value, there is potential for notable financial growth. The anticipated growth trajectory allows for progression from the P10 salary of $91,667 through to the P25 figure of $118,954, paving a promising path toward achieving the city’s median salary within three to five years. Richmond currently showcases a stable job market for new physician assistants, making it an attractive location for fresh graduates to begin their careers.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Richmond
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 Richmond
Entry-level physician assistants in Richmond, IN typically start between $91,667 and $118,954 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,081 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $127,732 — 9.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Indiana of $80,000 represents just 87.27% of the starting physician assistant pay ($91,667/year) in Richmond. 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 Richmond
- 1Research the Richmond market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $91,667 to $118,954, 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Richmond'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 Richmond is $78,081 ( 85.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $91,667, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,748.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,920
2025 BLS Actual
$88,721
2026 Current Est.
$91,667
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,710 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Richmond, IN grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,920 in 2019 to $88,721 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $94,710. New graduates entering the Richmond job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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 Richmond
Employers in Richmond, IN, are actively seeking to fill physician assistant roles, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings which often prioritize hiring new graduates. These facilities usually provide structured onboarding programs, easing the transition into clinical practice. Surgical subspecialty practices might recruit through residency pipelines, while hospital medicine groups frequently offer night-only shifts, catering to various lifestyle preferences. Credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, along with NCCPA certification, state licensure, and DEA registration, are essential for newly minted PAs. For those in their first one to three years, aligning with the Optimal Team Practice model can expand their scope of practice and responsibility, enhancing job satisfaction and potential earnings. New graduates can expect their upper end salary to steadily increase as they gain hands-on experience, especially in high-demand specialties like orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, where billing practices can lead to higher compensation.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Richmond in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Richmond?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Richmond?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Richmond?
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Related Pages
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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 Richmond. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richmond 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