Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Lexington, MA: $112,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Lexington, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $112,878 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lexington's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,035 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($146,013) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a physician assistant in 2026 presents exciting opportunities for new professionals in Lexington, Massachusetts. Entry-level positions are expected to offer starting salaries around $112,878, which naturally creates a gap when compared to the city's median salary of $146,013. New grads can anticipate growth in their salaries as they gain experience, potentially reaching the 25th percentile of $133,061 within their first few years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, Lexington seems to be a favorable market for fresh PAs, aligning with industry trends that are gradually growing beyond initial pay.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lexington
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 Lexington
Entry-level physician assistants in Lexington, MA typically start between $112,878 and $133,061 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $85,514 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $146,013 — 4% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 124.03% of the starting physician assistant pay ($112,878/year) in Lexington. 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 Lexington
- 1Research the Lexington market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $112,878 to $133,061, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lexington'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 Lexington is $85,514 ( 75.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $112,878, experienced hygienists can earn up to $198,392.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,943
2025 BLS Actual
$109,251
2026 Current Est.
$112,878
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,336 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,626 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Lexington, MA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $79,943 in 2019 to $109,251 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $116,626. New graduates entering the Lexington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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 Lexington
In Lexington, various employers actively seek new graduates—particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, where structured onboarding programs help ease the transition into practice. Hospitals also play a significant role, especially in emergency medicine and surgical specialties, where PA residency pipelines are utilized. New professionals can enhance their earning potential by obtaining credentials, including a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification (PA-C), along with state licensure and DEA registration. Those interested in higher-than-average starting pay should consider surgical subspecialties—as these opportunities frequently include first-assist billing and are among the highest-paying paths within the PA profession. Realistically, new graduates in Lexington can expect a gradual increase in their salaries as they advance through the initial years of practice, particularly as they adapt to the collaborative environment defined by state regulations and supervising physician partnerships.
More salary data for Lexington, 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 Lexington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lexington 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