PA Salary

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 115.916% 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.

$105,552
Starting Salary
$50.75/hr
Starting Hourly
$105,552
Entry Level
$145,246
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Physician Assistant Entry Level Salary in Troy, NY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Troy, NY physician assistant entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$105,552/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$127,391/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$145,246/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$176,169/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Troy

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for physician assistants in Troy. The median salary is $145,246, compared to the national median of $140,391.$95.0K$124.7K$154.5K$184.2K$214.0K$105.6K10th Pctl$127.4K25th Pctl$145.2KMedian$176.2K75th Pctl$203.8K90th PctlUS Median$140.4K

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 $145,2463.46% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of physician assistant pay in the Troy metro area.

Return on Investment

$145,000
Avg NY Program Cost
$105,552
Starting Salary
137.37%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.4 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for physician assistants in Troy. Baseline $74,754 in 2025, projected to $109,056 by 2027.$66.8K$80.7K$94.7K$108.7K$122.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$74.8K$78.8K$80.1K$86.2K$88.7K$114.7K$102.2K$105.6K$109.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$74,754Actual
2020$78,846Actual
2021$80,120Actual
2022$86,165Actual
2023$88,694Actual
2024$114,653Actual
2025$102,160Actual
2026(current)$105,552Estimated
2027$109,056Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Troy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Troy in 2026?

Entry-level physician assistants in Troy start at approximately $105,552/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $50.75/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Troy?

Most physician assistants in Troy progress from the entry-level salary of $105,552 to the area median of $145,246 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $203,803 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is physician assistant school worth it in Troy?

With a starting salary of $105,552/year in Troy and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new physician assistants recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Troy?

New physician assistant graduates in Troy typically start near the 10th percentile at $105,552/year, or approximately $50.75/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a physician assistant in New York?

To become a licensed physician assistant in New York, you typically need master's degree from an accredited physician assistant program and passing the pance exam., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including New York, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some physician assistants pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in New York

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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