Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Davenport, IA: $105,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Davenport, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $105,459 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davenport's local price level (BEA RPP 89.1 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $118,388 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($141,982) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, IA, the starting physician assistant salary is projected to be around $105,459 in 2026, a figure that new graduates should consider as they enter the workforce. This initial pay level falls below the city's median annual salary of $141,982, creating a significant gap that entry-level professionals will need to navigate. However, there is a clear growth trajectory for salaries in the first few years of practice, with many new graduates likely to see their pay progress through the $122,548 mark and toward the median as they gain experience. Given the 3.32% annual growth rate, Davenport remains a promising market for new PAs, particularly for those eager to build their careers in a supportive healthcare environment.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davenport
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 Davenport
Entry-level physician assistants in Davenport, IA typically start between $105,459 and $122,548 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,926 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $141,982 — 1.13% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Iowa of $70,000 represents just 66.38% of the starting physician assistant pay ($105,459/year) in Davenport. 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 Davenport
- 1Research the Davenport market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $105,459 to $122,548, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davenport, 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 Davenport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Davenport'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 Davenport is $64,926 ( 61.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $105,459, experienced hygienists can earn up to $170,385.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,540
2025 BLS Actual
$102,070
2026 Current Est.
$105,459
2019–2027 Growth
+27.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,960 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Davenport, IA grew 19.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $85,540 in 2019 to $102,070 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $108,960. New graduates entering the Davenport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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 Davenport
When seeking employment, new grad physician assistants in Davenport can find opportunities primarily in primary care and urgent care settings. These employers often have structured onboarding programs designed to ease the transition for recent graduates. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs may recruit through PA residencies or fellowship pathways, presenting another avenue for new hires. Credentials play a vital role in salary enhancement—having a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and obtaining NCCPA certification can position candidates favorably. As the scope of practice for PAs is influenced by state regulation and the supervising physician, building collaborative relationships early in one’s career will enhance growth opportunities. Newly graduated PAs in Davenport can expect realistic salary growth as they gather experience and consider roles that leverage higher pay potential, such as surgical assistant positions in orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery—fields that offer rewarding compensations due to complex procedures and first-assist billing practices.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
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 Davenport. 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