Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Woburn, MA: $111,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Woburn, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $111,369 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woburn's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $102,644 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($145,125) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the physician assistant field in Woburn, Massachusetts, can expect an entry-level salary beginning at approximately $111,369 in 2026. This figure represents a significant starting point, although it falls short of the city's median annual salary of $145,125, indicating that new PAs might start their careers with a notable pay gap. Over the next few years, early-career professionals can look forward to gradual growth, with many moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $127,966 as they gain experience. Given the current medical employment climate in Woburn, emerging PAs should find a favorable market, particularly in primary care or urgent care settings that often provide structured onboarding for those just starting their careers.
About the Woburn Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woburn
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 Woburn
Entry-level physician assistants in Woburn, MA typically start between $111,369 and $127,966 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $84,128 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $145,125 — 3.37% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Massachusetts of $140,000 represents just 125.71% of the starting physician assistant pay ($111,369/year) in Woburn. 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 Woburn
- 1Research the Woburn market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $111,369 to $127,966, 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 Woburn, 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 Woburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woburn'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 Woburn is $84,128 ( 75.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $111,369, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,497.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,874
2025 BLS Actual
$107,790
2026 Current Est.
$111,369
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Woburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,191 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,536 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,913 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,868 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,066 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Woburn, MA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $78,874 in 2019 to $107,790 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $115,066. New graduates entering the Woburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woburn 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 Woburn
In terms of career prospects, several employers in Woburn actively seek new graduates for their physician assistant positions. Primary care and urgent care facilities typically welcome entry-level PAs due to their comprehensive training and willingness to learn. For those leaning towards surgical specializations, securing a position may involve participating in residency or fellowship programs, which align with the required experience for higher-paying roles. New PAs in Massachusetts can enhance their marketability by obtaining credentials such as an ARC-PA accredited master's degree and NCCPA certification (PA-C). Pursuing additional qualifications, akin to the Certificate of Added Qualifications, can further elevate starting new grad physician assistant pay in MA. In the first few years, anticipated salary growth is steady, particularly for PAs engaged in areas like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, where experience translates into higher compensation due to first-assist billing practices. As the profession continues to adapt under the Optimal Team Practice model, ensuring collaborative supervision can provide valuable insights for career advancement in this evolving field.
More salary data for Woburn, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Woburn in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Woburn?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Woburn?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Woburn?
How do I become a physician assistant in Massachusetts?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 Woburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woburn 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