Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Fall River, MA: $115,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Fall River, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $115,867 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fall River's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $106,790 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($150,583) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the physician assistant field in Fall River, Massachusetts, can expect starting salaries around $115,867, which is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $150,583. This discrepancy highlights the natural progression in earning potential as new PAs gain experience; over the first few years, many can anticipate solid growth in their pay, moving from entry-level wages toward the 25th percentile of $137,016, and eventually reaching the median. For those looking to start their careers in this vibrant market, Fall River presents opportunities for new graduates, especially considering its competitive growth rate of 3.32% annually for physician assistant roles.
About the Fall River Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fall River
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 Fall River
Entry-level physician assistants in Fall River, MA typically start between $115,867 and $137,016 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $97,784 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $150,583 — 7.26% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 120.83% of the starting physician assistant pay ($115,867/year) in Fall River. 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 Fall River
- 1Research the Fall River market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $115,867 to $137,016, 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 Fall River, 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 Fall River for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fall River'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 Fall River is $97,784 ( 84.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $115,867, experienced hygienists can earn up to $213,651.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,060
2025 BLS Actual
$112,144
2026 Current Est.
$115,867
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fall River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,551 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,361 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,269 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,714 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Fall River, MA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $82,060 in 2019 to $112,144 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $119,714. New graduates entering the Fall River job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fall River 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 Fall River
In terms of employment prospects for new graduates in Fall River, primary care and urgent care settings frequently hire entry-level physician assistants due to their structured onboarding processes. Additionally, surgical subspecialties often recruit PAs through residency and fellowship programs, making these sectors lucrative for those willing to pursue further training. To enhance their starting salary in Massachusetts, new PAs should prioritize obtaining credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, national certification through the NCCPA, and a valid state license. With a strong focus on the Optimal Team Practice model, which promotes collaborative practice, new graduates can strategically position themselves for rapid salary growth, particularly if they pursue specialties like orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, which typically offer higher compensation due to demand for first-assist roles. Overall, PAs in their first three years can realistically aim for increasing earnings as they gain experience and specialized skills in the dynamic healthcare environment of Fall River.
More salary data for Fall River, 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 Fall River. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fall River 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