Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Springfield, MA: $117,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Springfield, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $117,640 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 96.1 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $122,464 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($167,141) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates aspiring to enter the field as physician assistants in Springfield, Massachusetts, the starting physician assistant salary in 2026 is projected at $117,640. While this figure may seem modest compared to the overall city average of $167,141, it reflects the reality of beginning a career in healthcare. The anticipated growth trajectory from this entry-level pay, with possibilities to reach $144,028 in the first quartile and beyond, offers promising earning potential within just a few years. Given Springfield's robust healthcare sector, this market presents a favorable opportunity for fresh graduates to land positions as they embark on their professional journey.
Career Earnings Timeline in Springfield
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 Springfield
Entry-level physician assistants in Springfield, MA typically start between $117,640 and $144,028 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,507 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $167,141 — 19.05% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 119.01% of the starting physician assistant pay ($117,640/year) in Springfield. 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 Springfield
- 1Research the Springfield market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $117,640 to $144,028, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Springfield'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 Springfield is $52,507 ( 44.63%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $117,640, experienced hygienists can earn up to $170,147.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,280
2025 BLS Actual
$113,860
2026 Current Est.
$117,640
2019–2027 Growth
+44.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,546 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, MA grew 35.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $84,280 in 2019 to $113,860 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $121,546. New graduates entering the Springfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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 Springfield
Within the Springfield area, several healthcare employers actively recruit new grad physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings that often offer structured onboarding programs. Surgical subspecialty programs typically recruit through residency and fellowship pipelines, allowing for additional career development opportunities. To enhance starting pay in Massachusetts, candidates should focus on obtaining necessary credentials, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a valid state PA license. Continuing education and specialized certifications, like a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties, can significantly elevate career prospects. Over the first few years in the profession, realistic salary growth expectations exist, especially for PAs involved in surgical specialties like orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, where compensation often aligns with first-assist billing practices. With the AAPA representing the profession and the NCCPA overseeing certification, new graduates are well-positioned to leverage these resources as they advance their careers in Springfield.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 Springfield. 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