Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Elyria, OH: $94,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Elyria, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $94,501 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Elyria's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,191 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,299) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant (PA) field in Elyria, Ohio, in 2026 can expect an entry-level salary around $94,501. While this number is a solid starting point, it is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $128,299 for all PAs in the city. Over the first three to five years, new PAs have the potential to see their pay rise as they gain experience. With growth projected at 3.32% annually, new grads can anticipate progression from the entry-level figure towards the 25th percentile salary of $113,475 and beyond. Given Elyria's current market conditions, new graduates may find this an opportune time to secure their first roles, especially in a city with a cost of living index below the national average, providing a more favorable environment to start their careers.
About the Elyria Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Elyria
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 Elyria
Entry-level physician assistants in Elyria, OH typically start between $94,501 and $113,475 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,422 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,299 — 8.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Ohio of $85,000 represents just 89.95% of the starting physician assistant pay ($94,501/year) in Elyria. 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 Elyria
- 1Research the Elyria market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $94,501 to $113,475, 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 Elyria, 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 Elyria for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Elyria'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 Elyria is $82,422 ( 87.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $94,501, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,923.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,928
2025 BLS Actual
$91,464
2026 Current Est.
$94,501
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Elyria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,928 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,591 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,732 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,143 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,407 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,965 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,464 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,638 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Elyria, OH grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,928 in 2019 to $91,464 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $97,638. New graduates entering the Elyria job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elyria 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 Elyria
In Elyria, several employers offer promising opportunities for newly graduated physician assistants. Primary care clinics and urgent care facilities often provide structured onboarding programs ideal for fresh graduates. Additionally, surgical specialties recruit PAs through residency or fellowship pipelines, and hospital medicine groups may offer flexible night-only schedules that appeal to newcomers. To enhance their starting pay in Ohio, new PAs should ensure they have a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, national certification from the NCCPA (PA-C), and a valid state license along with DEA registration. Gaining clinical experience in hospital settings, particularly in surgical areas like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, can lead to higher pay due to additional billing capabilities. In the first three years, newly minted PAs can expect gradual salary increases, especially if they leverage their education and position themselves within sectors that offer upwards mobility, aligning with current trends in optimal team practice models.
More salary data for Elyria, 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 Elyria. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elyria 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