Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Syracuse, NY: $104,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Syracuse, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $104,560 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Syracuse's local price level (BEA RPP 95.7 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $109,210 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,416) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting salaries for newly graduated physician assistants in Syracuse, NY, present a practical entry point into the healthcare field. The projected annual pay at the 10th percentile is $104,560, which indicates what newcomers might realistically expect as their initial earnings. In comparison, the median annual salary for physician assistants in the city is $137,416, revealing a significant gap that can represent a steep climb for early-career professionals. Over the first three to five years, entry-level PAs can anticipate growth in their income, particularly if they start moving towards the 25th percentile earnings of $115,315, ultimately paving the way towards the median salary. With a growth rate of 3.32% annually, Syracuse remains a viable job market for new graduates, providing opportunities despite the competitive nature of the profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Syracuse
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 Syracuse
Entry-level physician assistants in Syracuse, NY typically start between $104,560 and $115,315 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $71,704 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,416 — 2.12% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in New York of $145,000 represents just 138.68% of the starting physician assistant pay ($104,560/year) in Syracuse. 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 Syracuse
- 1Research the Syracuse market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $104,560 to $115,315, 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 Syracuse, 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 Syracuse for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Syracuse'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 Syracuse is $71,704 ( 68.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $104,560, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,264.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,590
2025 BLS Actual
$101,200
2026 Current Est.
$104,560
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,031 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Syracuse, NY grew 19.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $84,590 in 2019 to $101,200 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $108,031. New graduates entering the Syracuse job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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 Syracuse
When seeking positions, new grad physician assistants in Syracuse should focus on employers who offer structured onboarding and training programs, as primary care and urgent care facilities often hire entry-level professionals. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs may recruit PAs through residency and fellowship pipelines, where new graduates can gain valuable experience that could lead to higher-paying roles in the future. For those looking to increase their starting physician assistant salary in Syracuse, obtaining credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and state licensure can be highly beneficial. The PA’s practice scope remains aligned with state law and the supervising physician's preferences, impacting job responsibilities and potential income; surgical specialties, especially in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest pay due to their capacity for first-assist billing. In these formative years, meaningful salary growth is achievable as new PAs refine their skills and establish their careers, making the Syracuse market an advantageous place to begin this rewarding profession.
More salary data for Syracuse, 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 Syracuse. 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