Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Barnstable Town, MA: $128,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Barnstable Town, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $128,571 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Barnstable Town's local price level (BEA RPP 98.4 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $130,727 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($167,719) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates can expect an entry-level physician assistant salary in Barnstable Town, Massachusetts, starting at around $128,571. This starting figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $167,719 for physician assistants in the area, indicating a gap that new grads will need to address through skill development and experience. However, prospects for salary growth are promising; early-career professionals can progress to approximately $144,266 as they establish themselves in the field, eventually moving closer to the median earn bracket within the first few years. Given the favorable pay trajectory and the local job market in Barnstable Town, which has a robust healthcare system, this area presents a viable opportunity for aspiring physician assistants starting their careers in 2026.
Career Earnings Timeline in Barnstable Town
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 Barnstable Town
Entry-level physician assistants in Barnstable Town, MA typically start between $128,571 and $144,266 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,417 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $167,719 — 19.47% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 108.89% of the starting physician assistant pay ($128,571/year) in Barnstable Town. 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 Barnstable Town
- 1Research the Barnstable Town market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $128,571 to $144,266, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Barnstable Town, 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 Barnstable Town for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Barnstable Town'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 Barnstable Town is $53,417 ( 41.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $128,571, experienced hygienists can earn up to $181,988.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,840
2025 BLS Actual
$124,440
2026 Current Est.
$128,571
2019–2027 Growth
+98.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Barnstable Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,840 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Barnstable Town, MA grew 86.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,840 in 2019 to $124,440 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $132,840. New graduates entering the Barnstable Town job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barnstable Town 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 Barnstable Town
A variety of healthcare employers in Barnstable Town are actively seeking new graduates, particularly those interested in primary care and urgent care settings, where structured onboarding programs can ease the transition into the workforce. Surgical subspecialties may recruit new PAs through residency or fellowship pathways that further enhance their skill sets and network. Holding credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, and a valid state license is essential for maximizing entry-level pay in MA. New grads should particularly aim for added qualifications in specific subspecialties, which might boost earnings in the competitive market. The highest remuneration often goes to surgical PAs, especially those in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, due to additional billing opportunities from first-assist roles. Realistically, entry-level salaries in the initial years can indicate steady progression as graduates build their competencies within the PA role, aligning with the broader implementation of the Optimal Team Practice model that enhances PA scope in Massachusetts post-2020.
More salary data for Barnstable Town, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Barnstable Town in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Barnstable Town?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Barnstable Town?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Barnstable Town?
How do I become a physician assistant in Massachusetts?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 Barnstable Town. 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