Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Avon Lake, OH: $96,570 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Avon Lake, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,570 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Avon Lake's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $106,472 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($122,328) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant field in Avon Lake, Ohio, can expect substantial starting salaries, with entry-level positions projected at around $96,570 in 2026. This figure is considerably lower than the city's median annual salary of $122,328, suggesting that there is a notable gap for new PAs just starting their careers. However, those in the early years can anticipate growth as they gain experience, with salaries rising from the 10th percentile through the 25th percentile to approach the median within their first 3-5 years. The 3.32% annual growth rate indicates a steady upward trajectory, making Avon Lake a relatively promising market for recent graduates looking to establish themselves in the healthcare community.
About the Avon Lake Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Avon Lake
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 Avon Lake
Entry-level physician assistants in Avon Lake, OH typically start between $96,570 and $112,235 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,642 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $122,328 — 12.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Ohio of $85,000 represents just 88.02% of the starting physician assistant pay ($96,570/year) in Avon Lake. 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 Avon Lake
- 1Research the Avon Lake market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $96,570 to $112,235, 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 Avon Lake, 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 Avon Lake for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Avon Lake'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 Avon Lake is $62,642 ( 64.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,570, experienced hygienists can earn up to $159,212.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,393
2025 BLS Actual
$93,467
2026 Current Est.
$96,570
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Avon Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,303 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,146 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,467 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,570 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,776 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Avon Lake, OH grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,393 in 2019 to $93,467 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,776. New graduates entering the Avon Lake job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Avon Lake 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 Avon Lake
In Avon Lake, several healthcare employers actively recruit new physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, which typically offer structured onboarding programs. Furthermore, hospitals and specialty clinics, especially surgical subspecialties like orthopedics, often seek new grads through residency or fellowship pipelines. Credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA national certification (PA-C) are essential for enhancing starting pay in Ohio. Additionally, pursuing certifications or a Certificate of Added Qualifications in specific subspecialties can further boost earning potential. Given that the PA scope of practice relies on collaboration with supervising physicians, recent graduates should focus on building comprehensive networks and gaining diverse experiences to put themselves in positions of higher pay. Realistically, new PAs can expect to see their compensation grow as they navigate the first few years of practice, particularly if they align themselves with high-demand specialties or settings.
More salary data for Avon Lake, 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 Avon Lake. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Avon Lake 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