Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Severn, MD: $113,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Severn, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $113,275 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Severn's local price level (BEA RPP 109.3 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $103,637 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($150,085) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Severn, Maryland, the starting physician assistant salary is projected at around $113,275 in 2026. Entry-level PAs can anticipate a gradual growth trajectory as they gain experience—the salary may rise towards the P25 figure of $134,906 within a few years, but remains significantly below the city median salary of $150,085. This gap highlights a common reality for many entry-level positions, where the journey to achieving median earnings often requires time to build expertise and a solid professional reputation. Despite this initial salary structure, Severn presents a reasonably favorable market for new PAs, especially given the anticipated 3.32% annual growth rate for the profession over the coming years.
About the Severn Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Severn
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 Severn
Entry-level physician assistants in Severn, MD typically start between $113,275 and $134,906 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $96,909 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $150,085 — 6.91% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Maryland of $105,000 represents just 92.69% of the starting physician assistant pay ($113,275/year) in Severn. 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 Severn
- 1Research the Severn market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $113,275 to $134,906, 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 Severn, 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 Severn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Severn'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 Severn is $96,909 ( 85.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $113,275, experienced hygienists can earn up to $210,184.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$80,224
2025 BLS Actual
$109,635
2026 Current Est.
$113,275
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Severn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,983 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,469 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,183 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,036 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Severn, MD grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $80,224 in 2019 to $109,635 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $117,036. New graduates entering the Severn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Severn 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 Severn
In Severn, several local employers actively seek to onboard new grad physician assistants, particularly in primary and urgent care settings where structured training programs are common. Surgical subspecialty programs may recruit emerging PAs through dedicated residency or fellowship pipelines, offering a pathway to higher salaries in the long run. Credentialing plays a pivotal role in impact on earning potential; holding a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and securing a Maryland state PA license are essential milestones. For those interested in specializing, pursuing a Certificate of Added Qualifications can further enhance marketability. Many PAs initially find themselves collaborating under supervising physicians, which can impact daily responsibilities and income. Growth opportunities do exist, especially in surgical fields like orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, which tend to offer the highest starting salaries due to billing practices associated with first-assist roles. Realistically, entry-level PAs can expect to see incremental salary increases in the first three years as they gather experience and potentially shift into more lucrative roles within the healthcare system.
More salary data for Severn, 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 Severn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Severn 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