Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Chicopee, MA: $106,695 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Chicopee, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $106,695 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chicopee's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $98,336 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($151,766) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant profession in Chicopee, Massachusetts, can realistically expect an entry-level salary starting at around $106,695 in 2026. While this figure is below the median annual salary of $151,766 for physician assistants in the city, it reflects the typical earnings for newcomers in their first roles. Over the first few years, entry-level professionals can anticipate growth in their earnings, gradually moving towards the 25th percentile of $130,414 as they gain experience and skills. Given the projected growth rate of 3.32% annually, Chicopee presents a solid market for budding physician assistants, providing ample opportunities to advance their careers and increase their earnings potential.
About the Chicopee Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chicopee
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 Chicopee
Entry-level physician assistants in Chicopee, MA typically start between $106,695 and $130,414 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $111,403 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $151,766 — 8.1% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 131.22% of the starting physician assistant pay ($106,695/year) in Chicopee. 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 Chicopee
- 1Research the Chicopee market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $106,695 to $130,414, 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 Chicopee, 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 Chicopee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chicopee'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 Chicopee is $111,403 ( 104.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $106,695, experienced hygienists can earn up to $218,098.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,564
2025 BLS Actual
$103,267
2026 Current Est.
$106,695
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chicopee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,564 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,655 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,247 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,267 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,695 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,238 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Chicopee, MA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $75,564 in 2019 to $103,267 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $110,238. New graduates entering the Chicopee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicopee 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 Chicopee
Employers in Chicopee eager to hire new graduates typically include primary care offices and urgent care clinics, which often adopt structured onboarding processes that are advantageous for entry-level physician assistants. Surgical subspecialty programs targeting residents and fellowships tend to seek applicants with advanced training, while hospital medicine groups frequently offer flexible scheduling that can be appealing for early-career PAs. To enhance starting pay in MA, aspiring physician assistants should aim to obtain credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, along with NCCPA national certification and state licensing. Those who engage in ongoing education, particularly in high-demand specialties like surgery, will find themselves positioned for increased earnings as surgical PAs earn top dollar in first-assist roles. Within the first one to three years, exiting at a competitive salary level is feasible through strategic networking and skill enhancement, steadily scaling their pay in the vibrant healthcare market of Chicopee.
More salary data for Chicopee, 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 Chicopee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chicopee 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