Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Brunswick, ME: $103,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Brunswick, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $103,117 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brunswick's local price level (BEA RPP 99.6 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $103,531 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,394) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brunswick, ME, new graduates entering the physician assistant field can expect a starting salary around $103,117 in 2026. This initial pay is notably lower than the city's overall median physician assistant salary of $129,394, revealing a substantial gap that entry-level candidates must navigate. However, within the first few years of practice, new PAs can anticipate growth in earnings, with potential progression toward the 25th percentile mark of $119,398 and eventually reaching the median as they accumulate experience and build their skills. Brunswick's job market offers a favorable environment for recent graduates, especially considering the ongoing demand for healthcare services and the projected annual growth rate of 3.32% in this sector.
About the Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brunswick
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 Brunswick
Entry-level physician assistants in Brunswick, ME typically start between $103,117 and $119,398 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,721 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,394 — 7.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Maine of $100,000 represents just 96.98% of the starting physician assistant pay ($103,117/year) in Brunswick. 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 Brunswick
- 1Research the Brunswick market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $103,117 to $119,398, 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 ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brunswick, 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 Brunswick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brunswick'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 Brunswick is $70,721 ( 68.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $103,117, experienced hygienists can earn up to $173,838.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,030
2025 BLS Actual
$99,804
2026 Current Est.
$103,117
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,178 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,541 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Brunswick, ME grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $73,030 in 2019 to $99,804 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $106,541. New graduates entering the Brunswick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brunswick 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 Brunswick
Employers within Brunswick that actively hire new grad physician assistants include various primary care facilities and urgent care centers, which often provide structured onboarding programs tailored for entry-level clinicians. Surgical subspecialties typically recruit PAs through residency and fellowship pipelines, presenting additional career pathways for those interested in specific fields. To maximize their earning potential, new graduates should focus on obtaining essential credentials, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and national certification by the NCCPA. Engaging in continuing education, which may include specialties recognized by Certificates of Added Qualifications, can further enhance their starting physician assistant salary in Brunswick. In the first three years, newly minted PAs should realistically expect their salaries to increase as they gain clinical experience and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the healthcare environment, particularly under the guidelines of Optimal Team Practice, which emphasizes collaborative practice between PAs and supervising physicians.
More salary data for Brunswick, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Brunswick in 2026?
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Is physician assistant school worth it in Brunswick?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Brunswick?
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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 Brunswick. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brunswick 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