Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Bay City, MI: $101,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Bay City, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $101,180 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bay City's local price level (BEA RPP 93.2 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $108,562 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,992) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bay City, MI, the entry-level physician assistant salary suggests a starting pay of around $101,180 for new graduates entering the field in 2026. While this figure represents a solid initial income, it's important to recognize the significant gap between starting salaries and the median income for physician assistants, which is projected to be $133,992. This means new grads may earn approximately 75% of the overall median, with opportunities for advancement as they gain experience. Over a span of 3 to 5 years, starting salaries can expect to rise significantly, moving toward the P25 threshold of $119,911 and eventually aligning closer to the median. With a growth rate of 3.32% annually, Bay City currently presents a favorable market for new graduates entering the physician assistant profession.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bay City
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 Bay City
Entry-level physician assistants in Bay City, MI typically start between $101,180 and $119,911 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,385 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,992 — 4.56% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Michigan of $85,000 represents just 84.01% of the starting physician assistant pay ($101,180/year) in Bay City. 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 Bay City
- 1Research the Bay City market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $101,180 to $119,911, 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 MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bay City, 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 Bay City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bay City's below-average 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 Bay City is $77,385 ( 76.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $101,180, experienced hygienists can earn up to $178,565.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,658
2025 BLS Actual
$97,929
2026 Current Est.
$101,180
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,658 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,802 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,292 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,539 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Bay City, MI grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,658 in 2019 to $97,929 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,539. New graduates entering the Bay City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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 Bay City
Employers in Bay City aiming to recruit entry-level physician assistants include primary care practices and urgent care clinics, which typically provide structured onboarding. Surgical subspecialty programs often seek applicants through PA residency and fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups may offer flexible night-only roles. To enhance starting pay in Michigan, candidates should ensure they possess a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, attain NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and hold a valid state PA license with DEA registration. For those aspiring to work in surgical specialties like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, additional credentials, such as Certificates of Added Qualifications, can further elevate earning potential. In the first few years of practice, realistic salary growth can be anticipated as entry-level PAs gain experience within their state’s guidelines—collaborating closely with supervising physicians under the evolving Optimal Team Practice model designed for improved healthcare delivery.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Bay City in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Bay City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bay City 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