Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Albany, OR: $82,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Albany, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,480 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Albany's local price level (BEA RPP 102.1 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,784 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($146,942) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the starting physician assistant salary in Albany, OR, is projected to begin at $82,480. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for new graduates, who can expect to gradually rise in their earning potential over the first few years of their careers. Given the median annual salary for PAs in the Albany area stands at $146,942, there is a significant gap of $64,462 for newly minted professionals. However, the growth trajectory is promising, with many first-time PAs moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $134,729 within a few years. With a favorable growth rate of 3.32% annually projected for the profession, Albany remains a viable market for new grad physician assistants seeking to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Albany
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 Albany
Entry-level physician assistants in Albany, OR typically start between $82,480 and $134,729 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $96,594 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $146,942 — 4.67% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oregon of $95,000 represents just 115.18% of the starting physician assistant pay ($82,480/year) in Albany. 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 Albany
- 1Research the Albany market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $82,480 to $134,729, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Albany, 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 Albany for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Albany's moderate 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 Albany is $96,594 ( 117.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,480, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,074.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,415
2025 BLS Actual
$79,830
2026 Current Est.
$82,480
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,612 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,219 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Albany, OR grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,415 in 2019 to $79,830 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,219. New graduates entering the Albany job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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 Albany
As early-career professionals, new graduate physician assistants in Albany can find opportunities primarily within primary care and urgent care settings, which often provide structured onboarding programs. These employers are more willing to hire candidates fresh out of accredited programs like those recognized by ARC-PA. Additionally, surgical subspecialties may recruit recent graduates through residency or fellowship programs, while hospital medicine offers unique night-only shifts. New PAs who hold credentials like a Master's degree from an accredited program, NCCPA certification, and a state PA license can enhance their starting pay. Moreover, specific continuing education, such as obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties, can further boost salaries. The first 1-3 years in this field offer realistic salary growth opportunities as PAs gain experience and familiarity with the Optimal Team Practice model that most states adopted recently. Surgical roles, especially in orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, promise higher earnings due to first-assist billing practices, making them appealing choices for ambitious new graduates.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
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 Albany. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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