Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Troy, NY: $105,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Troy, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $105,552 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Troy's local price level (BEA RPP 115.9 — 16% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $91,072 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($145,246) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For those graduating as physician assistants in 2026, the entry-level landscape in Troy, NY, presents both challenges and opportunities. Beginning salaries for new graduates are projected to settle around $105,552, which is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $145,246 for PAs in the city. However, this initial figure aligns closely with the expectations of recent graduates, as it opens the door to potential growth, particularly as they gain experience and move toward the 25th percentile salary of $127,391 within a few years. For newly minted PAs, Troy serves as a viable market, bolstered by a steadily growing healthcare sector and a supportive infrastructure for entry-level professionals.
About the Troy Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Troy
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 Troy
Entry-level physician assistants in Troy, NY typically start between $105,552 and $127,391 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $98,251 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $145,246 — 3.46% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in New York of $145,000 represents just 137.37% of the starting physician assistant pay ($105,552/year) in Troy. 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 Troy
- 1Research the Troy market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $105,552 to $127,391, 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 Troy, 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 Troy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Troy's above-average cost of living (index: 115.9) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Troy is $98,251 ( 93.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $105,552, experienced hygienists can earn up to $203,803.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,754
2025 BLS Actual
$102,160
2026 Current Est.
$105,552
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Troy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,754 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,846 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,694 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,653 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,056 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Troy, NY grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,754 in 2019 to $102,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $109,056. New graduates entering the Troy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Troy 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 Troy
In Troy, several employers are keen to recruit new graduate physician assistants, particularly within primary care and urgent care settings, where structured onboarding processes enhance the early career experience. These roles often provide guiding mentorship and exposure to a broad array of patient cases, enabling new PAs to develop their skills quickly. Additionally, the local market includes opportunities in surgical subspecialties for those who pursue residency programs or fellowships, as surgical PAs typically command higher pay due to the nature of their responsibilities, including first-assist billing. To enhance their starting pay and marketability, aspiring PAs in New York should ensure they possess a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, pass the NCCPA certification exam, and obtain necessary licenses. New graduates must also strategize their career path to navigate the evolving PA scope of practice, which is influenced by state laws and collaborative practice agreements with supervising physicians. As new PAs embark on their initial years, realistic expectations for salary growth and continued education—especially in niche specialties—will be instrumental in achieving their professional goals in this robust market.
More salary data for Troy, 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 Troy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Troy 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