Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Lawton, OK: $124,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Lawton, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $124,253 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lawton's local price level (BEA RPP 85.9 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $144,579 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,610) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lawton, Oklahoma, the starting physician assistant salary for new graduates is projected to be around $124,253 in 2026. This entry-level figure sets the stage for a promising career in a field where the median salary is $136,610, creating a noteworthy gap for early-career professionals to bridge over time. Looking ahead, newly licensed PAs can anticipate a growth trajectory as they move from the preliminary $124,253 to the first quartile of $130,968 within just a few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, Lawton presents a favorable market for fresh graduates seeking opportunities, particularly as they familiarize themselves with patient care under the guidance of supervising physicians.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lawton
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 Lawton
Entry-level physician assistants in Lawton, OK typically start between $124,253 and $130,968 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $58,634 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,610 — 2.69% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oklahoma of $60,000 represents just 48.29% of the starting physician assistant pay ($124,253/year) in Lawton. 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 Lawton
- 1Research the Lawton market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $124,253 to $130,968, 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 Lawton, 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 Lawton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lawton'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 Lawton is $58,634 ( 47.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $124,253, experienced hygienists can earn up to $182,887.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,999
2025 BLS Actual
$120,260
2026 Current Est.
$124,253
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lawton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,999 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,378 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Lawton, OK grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $87,999 in 2019 to $120,260 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $128,378. New graduates entering the Lawton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawton 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 Lawton
A variety of healthcare settings in Lawton actively recruit new grads, making it essential for aspiring physician assistants to understand which employers are most likely to hire them. Primary care clinics and urgent care centers often provide structured onboarding processes, ideal for newly minted PAs. Additionally, hospital systems may offer night-only positions that can enhance work-life balance. Graduates should secure key credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification to boost their starting pay while pursuing opportunities such as additional qualifications in subspecialties. In the first three years of practice, many PAs can reasonably expect to see salary growth as they expand their scope under state regulations and collaborate with doctors. Given the increasing adoption of the Optimal Team Practice model, this can lead to more collaborative roles, especially for those entering high-demand surgical specialties that command premium pay.
More salary data for Lawton, 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 Lawton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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