Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Portland, ME: $111,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Portland, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $111,255 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Portland's local price level (BEA RPP 101.9 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $109,226 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($135,535) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates in the physician assistant field in Portland, Maine can expect a starting salary around $111,255. This entry-level figure is significantly below the median annual salary of $135,535 for all physician assistants in the city, indicating that new grads may have to build their experience to reach the higher pay scale. As entry-level professionals progress in their careers, they can anticipate their salaries moving toward the 25th percentile mark of $116,245 within the first couple of years. The market conditions in Portland are favorable for new graduates, given the projected growth rate of 3.32% annually, which suggests an expanding job market that could support further income increases as they gain experience.
Career Earnings Timeline in Portland
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 Portland
Entry-level physician assistants in Portland, ME typically start between $111,255 and $116,245 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $54,780 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $135,535 — 3.46% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Maine of $100,000 represents just 89.88% of the starting physician assistant pay ($111,255/year) in Portland. 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 Portland
- 1Research the Portland market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $111,255 to $116,245, 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 Portland, 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 Portland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Portland'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 Portland is $54,780 ( 49.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $111,255, experienced hygienists can earn up to $166,035.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,980
2025 BLS Actual
$107,680
2026 Current Est.
$111,255
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,949 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Portland, ME grew 21.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $88,980 in 2019 to $107,680 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $114,949. New graduates entering the Portland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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 Portland
Employers in Portland that frequently hire new grad physician assistants include primary care clinics and urgent care facilities, which typically provide structured onboarding programs aimed at smoothing the transition from education to practice. Surgical subspecialties, while more selective, offer residency or fellowship pathways that highly benefit new graduates looking to enhance their skills and earning potential. To improve starting pay in Maine, prospective PAs should ensure they obtain a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and gain the required credentials, including the NCCPA national certification and state PA license. As they navigate the first three years of their careers, PAs focusing on high-demand areas such as surgical subspecialties may find that they experience higher salary growth. Understanding that salary progression is informed by both the PA's scope of practice under state law and their supervising physician's collaboration is essential for maximizing their career trajectory in Portland, ME.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Portland. 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