Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Akron, OH: $107,587 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Akron, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $107,587 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Akron's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $115,227 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($135,329) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant field in Akron, Ohio, can expect a starting salary around $107,587 in 2026. This figure is notably below the city's median annual salary for physician assistants, which stands at $135,329, indicating a gap that new PAs should prepare for as they begin their careers. However, entry-level salaries can grow steadily as they gain experience, moving from P10 thresholds to the 25th percentile of $114,045 within the first few years of practice. For new graduates, the Akron market presents a reasonable opportunity, especially given a modest growth trajectory of 3.32% annually, suggesting a potential for improved earnings as one advances in their career.
Career Earnings Timeline in Akron
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 Akron
Entry-level physician assistants in Akron, OH typically start between $107,587 and $114,045 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,816 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $135,329 — 3.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Ohio of $85,000 represents just 79.01% of the starting physician assistant pay ($107,587/year) in Akron. 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 Akron
- 1Research the Akron market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $107,587 to $114,045, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Akron, 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 Akron for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Akron'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 Akron is $61,816 ( 57.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $107,587, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,403.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,250
2025 BLS Actual
$104,130
2026 Current Est.
$107,587
2019–2027 Growth
+62.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,587 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,159 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Akron, OH grew 52.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,250 in 2019 to $104,130 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $111,159. New graduates entering the Akron job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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 Akron
In Akron, various employers are actively seeking new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings that offer structured onboarding programs. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs and hospital medicine groups provide unique career opportunities for entry-level PAs, often with flexible night-only schedules. To bolster starting pay in Ohio, credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification, and DEA registration are essential. The first few years in this profession may also be characterized by complexities related to scope of practice regulations and potential salary growth, particularly in surgical roles like orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, which typically command higher compensation due to the first-assist billing model. For new professionals leveraging their credentials and skills, realistic salary growth expectations in Akron should be steady as they transition from entry-level roles into more senior positions.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 Akron. 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