Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Salisbury, MD: $118,022 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Salisbury, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $118,022 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salisbury's local price level (BEA RPP 95.6 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $123,432 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($147,314) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
While the journey towards becoming a physician assistant can be rewarding, new graduates in Salisbury, Maryland, should enter the workforce with realistic salary expectations. In 2026, entry-level positions for physician assistants are projected to start at $118,022, which contrasts with the city’s median annual salary of $147,314. This indicates a significant gap, even as entry-level salaries are expected to grow over time. New graduates can foresee potential increases to $132,239 within the first few years as they gain experience. Salisbury’s job market is favorable for fresh graduates entering this profession, especially considering its steady growth trajectory, making it a viable location for those looking to begin their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salisbury
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 Salisbury
Entry-level physician assistants in Salisbury, MD typically start between $118,022 and $132,239 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $84,620 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $147,314 — 4.93% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Maryland of $105,000 represents just 88.97% of the starting physician assistant pay ($118,022/year) in Salisbury. 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 Salisbury
- 1Research the Salisbury market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $118,022 to $132,239, 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 MD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Salisbury, 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 Salisbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salisbury'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 Salisbury is $84,620 ( 71.70%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $118,022, experienced hygienists can earn up to $202,642.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,330
2025 BLS Actual
$114,230
2026 Current Est.
$118,022
2019–2027 Growth
+89.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,022 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,941 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Salisbury, MD grew 77.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,330 in 2019 to $114,230 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $121,941. New graduates entering the Salisbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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 Salisbury
Employers in Salisbury actively seek new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings where structured onboarding programs are in place. Surgical subspecialty positions often recruit through residency and fellowship tracks, while hospital medicine groups may offer flexible night-only schedules. A strong educational background that includes graduation from an ARC-PA accredited program, along with achieving the NCCPA certification, will greatly enhance employability and starting pay for new grads in MD. Initial positions may yield modest salaries in comparison with more established surgical PAs, specialty practitioners who typically earn higher due to their advanced skill set. As graduates move through their first three years of practice, realistic salary growth should average around 3.32% annually, especially for those who proactively seek continuing education opportunities and certifications. Understanding the competitive landscape will empower new hires to thrive as they build their careers in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Salisbury, MD:
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 Salisbury. 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