Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Elmira, NY: $87,956 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Elmira, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,956 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Elmira's local price level (BEA RPP 94.4 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $93,176 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,117) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physician assistant in Elmira, NY, the entry-level salary is projected to be $87,956 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the median annual salary of $142,117 for the region, it represents a strong starting point for new graduates. Over the first few years of their career, entry-level PAs can expect their pay to increase as they gain experience, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $126,133 and ultimately aiming for the regional median. Given the steady growth rate of 3.32% projected for this occupation, Elmira presents a favorable market for new physician assistants entering the workforce at this time.
Career Earnings Timeline in Elmira
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 Elmira
Entry-level physician assistants in Elmira, NY typically start between $87,956 and $126,133 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $76,374 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,117 — 1.23% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in New York of $145,000 represents just 164.86% of the starting physician assistant pay ($87,956/year) in Elmira. 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 Elmira
- 1Research the Elmira market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $87,956 to $126,133, 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 NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Elmira, 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 Elmira for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Elmira'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 Elmira is $76,374 ( 86.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,956, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,330.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,293
2025 BLS Actual
$85,130
2026 Current Est.
$87,956
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,956 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,876 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Elmira, NY grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,293 in 2019 to $85,130 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,876. New graduates entering the Elmira job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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 Elmira
In the Elmira job market, several key employers actively seek to onboard new grad physician assistants, particularly those in primary and urgent care settings where structured training programs are available. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs typically recruit through PA residency or fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups may offer flexible night-only scheduling options. To enhance starting pay in New York, new PAs should focus on obtaining a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, acquiring national certification through the NCCPA, ensuring state licenses are in place, and considering additional qualifications in subspecialties. Within the first few years, realistic salary growth will vary based on the employer and the specific field; for instance, surgical PAs, especially in orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, have the potential to achieve higher earnings due to first-assist billing practices. By leveraging effective career strategies and staying informed about state laws governing PA practice, new physician assistants in Elmira can position themselves for successful career trajectories.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
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 Elmira. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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