Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Ardmore, OK: $89,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Ardmore, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $89,128 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ardmore's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $100,256 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($118,114) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the starting compensation is projected to be around $89,128 annually in 2026, which is significantly lower than the city median of $118,114. This discrepancy indicates that early-career professionals can expect to earn roughly 25% less than the overall median salary for physician assistants in the region. However, with time and experience, entry-level PAs have the potential to advance into the 25th percentile, where salaries reach approximately $106,025, and even to the median figure as they build their careers over the first three to five years. Given the healthy growth rate projected at 3.32% annually, Ardmore presents a viable job market for recent graduates, especially in light of its supportive healthcare community.
About the Ardmore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ardmore
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 Ardmore
Entry-level physician assistants in Ardmore, OK typically start between $89,128 and $106,025 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,971 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $118,114 — 15.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oklahoma of $60,000 represents just 67.32% of the starting physician assistant pay ($89,128/year) in Ardmore. 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 Ardmore
- 1Research the Ardmore market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $89,128 to $106,025, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ardmore, 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 Ardmore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ardmore'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 Ardmore is $72,971 ( 81.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $89,128, experienced hygienists can earn up to $162,099.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,123
2025 BLS Actual
$86,264
2026 Current Est.
$89,128
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Ardmore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,577 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,654 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,758 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,344 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,087 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Ardmore, OK grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,123 in 2019 to $86,264 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $92,087. New graduates entering the Ardmore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ardmore 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 Ardmore
In Ardmore, new grad physician assistants can find employment opportunities primarily through primary care and urgent care settings, which often cultivate entry-level talent with structured onboarding processes. Typically, these roles provide mentorship and experience without the intense pressures of more specialized environments. Additionally, obtaining essential credentials—like a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification—can enhance the starting physician assistant salary in Ardmore. Given the state's regulations governing PA practice and the evolving Optimal Team Practice model, understanding the collaborative dynamics with supervising physicians is crucial in the early years of one’s career. PAs specializing in surgical fields such as orthopedics significantly increase their earning potential due to first-assist billing, whereas those sticking to traditional roles should anticipate gradual salary growth without dramatic jumps in the first three years of practice.
More salary data for Ardmore, OK:
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 Ardmore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ardmore 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