Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Boston, MA: $67,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Boston, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,385 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boston's local price level (BEA RPP 108.3 — 8% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,240 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($147,138) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Boston's competitive healthcare sector presents promising opportunities for new graduate physician assistants. As of 2026, starting salaries for these roles in the city are projected to be around $67,385. While this initial compensation is lower than the city’s median annual salary of $147,138, it reflects the entry-level nature of the position. For new PAs, there is potential for significant salary growth over the first few years; entry-level professionals will likely see increases as they gain experience and possibly move toward the 25th percentile salary of $132,270 within a few years. Given Boston's robust healthcare market and demand for qualified professionals, it remains a favorable environment for new graduates to embark on their careers in the PA field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boston
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 Boston
Entry-level physician assistants in Boston, MA typically start between $67,385 and $132,270 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $145,062 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $147,138 — 4.81% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 207.76% of the starting physician assistant pay ($67,385/year) in Boston. 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 Boston
- 1Research the Boston market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $67,385 to $132,270, 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 Boston, 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 Boston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boston'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 Boston is $145,062 ( 215.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,385, experienced hygienists can earn up to $212,447.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,870
2025 BLS Actual
$65,220
2026 Current Est.
$67,385
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,622 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Boston, MA grew 12.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,870 in 2019 to $65,220 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,622. New graduates entering the Boston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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 Boston
Employers throughout Boston increasingly recognize the value of hiring newly graduated physician assistants, especially in primary care and urgent care settings that implement structured onboarding programs. Surgical subspecialty programs often seek PAs through residency or fellowship pipelines, enhancing learning opportunities from the outset. Furthermore, obtaining important credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, and state licensure can help elevate starting pay, making candidates more competitive. In the first three years, new PAs can reasonably expect to advance their earnings as they establish their practice and possibly pursue roles in higher-compensation specialties like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, where first-assist billing comes into play. With the recent shifts in the profession allowing for more autonomy under the Optimal Team Practice model, new grads in Massachusetts can strategically shape their careers to optimize earning potential while fulfilling state practice regulations.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 Boston. 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