Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Dover, NH: $115,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Dover, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $115,621 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dover's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $107,755 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($145,658) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Dover, New Hampshire, can expect starting salaries around $115,621. While this entry-level pay might seem modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $145,658, it offers a solid foundation for recent graduates seeking to build their careers. Over the first few years, opportunities exist for salary growth as new PAs gain experience and transition to higher pay brackets, with the first quartile offering $134,512. With a healthy local job market and an annual growth rate of 3.32% projected for the next five years, Dover presents a favorable environment for new grad physician assistant pay in NH, making it an attractive option for those embarking on this professional journey.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dover
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 Dover
Entry-level physician assistants in Dover, NH typically start between $115,621 and $134,512 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $75,779 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $145,658 — 3.75% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in New Hampshire of $125,000 represents just 108.11% of the starting physician assistant pay ($115,621/year) in Dover. 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 Dover
- 1Research the Dover market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $115,621 to $134,512, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dover, 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 Dover for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dover'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 Dover is $75,779 ( 65.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $115,621, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,400.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,700
2025 BLS Actual
$111,906
2026 Current Est.
$115,621
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,132 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,906 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,460 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Dover, NH grew 30.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $85,700 in 2019 to $111,906 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $119,460. New graduates entering the Dover job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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 Dover
Employment opportunities for early-career PAs in Dover typically arise in primary care and urgent care settings, which often provide structured onboarding programs for new graduates. Surgical subspecialties may recruit through residencies or fellowships, though these positions may require additional training and credentials. Essential qualifications include a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, national certification through NCCPA (PA-C), and state licensure, all crucial for enhancing starting physician assistant salary in Dover. Those interested in higher earning potentials should consider surgical roles, such as in orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, where first-assist billing significantly raises income. Realistically, new PAs can expect a gradual increase in earnings during their first three years as they navigate their expanding scope of practice, ultimately leading to better job prospects and salaries in this growing field.
More salary data for Dover, NH:
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 Dover. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dover 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