Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Medford, OR: $127,611 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Medford, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $127,611 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 101.4 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $125,808 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($160,260) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective physician assistants entering the job market in Medford, Oregon, can expect a starting salary of around $127,611 based on 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026. This initial pay is notably below the city median of $160,260, reflecting the typical gap an early-career professional might face. As new PAs gain experience, the growth trajectory shows potential advancement, moving from the entry-level mark to approximately $135,298 after a few years, and leading up to the median. Medford currently presents a favorable job market for new graduates, with a promising outlook for pay and entry opportunities in various healthcare settings.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
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 Medford
Entry-level physician assistants in Medford, OR typically start between $127,611 and $135,298 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,987 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $160,260 — 14.15% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oregon of $95,000 represents just 74.44% of the starting physician assistant pay ($127,611/year) in Medford. 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 Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $127,611 to $135,298, 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 Medford, 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 Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford'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 Medford is $73,987 ( 57.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $127,611, experienced hygienists can earn up to $201,598.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$94,780
2025 BLS Actual
$123,510
2026 Current Est.
$127,611
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,611 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,847 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, OR grew 30.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $94,780 in 2019 to $123,510 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $131,847. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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 Medford
In Medford, employers such as primary care practices and urgent care facilities tend to be more welcoming of new graduate PAs, frequently implementing structured onboarding processes. For those considering surgical subspecialty programs, opportunities may arise through PA residency and fellowship pipelines, which can be competitive. Earning a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining NCCPA certification, and maintaining a state PA license are essential for enhancing starting salaries in Oregon. To navigate the first few years effectively, new PAs should consider the specific needs of their supervising physicians and the scope of practice set by state laws. Those focusing on surgical specialties, particularly orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, often have the opportunity to command higher pay. Overall, new graduates can anticipate a realistic salary increase within their first three years as they establish their careers in Medford.
More salary data for Medford, 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 Medford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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