Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Sherwood, OR: $108,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Sherwood, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $108,866 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sherwood's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $106,107 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($144,561) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant field in Sherwood, Oregon, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $108,866 in 2026. This entry-level figure is below the median annual salary of $144,561 projected for the city, indicating a gap that new PAs will need to navigate as they launch their careers. Within the first few years, a systematic increase can be anticipated, with entry-level salaries growing to approximately $128,671 at the 25th percentile and moving closer to the median as experience accumulates. For new grads, the Sherwood market presents an advantageous environment, bolstered by the demand for healthcare services and the expanding healthcare facilities in the area, making it a viable option for those seeking to establish themselves in this fulfilling profession.
About the Sherwood Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sherwood
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 Sherwood
Entry-level physician assistants in Sherwood, OR typically start between $108,866 and $128,671 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $87,241 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $144,561 — 2.97% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oregon of $95,000 represents just 87.26% of the starting physician assistant pay ($108,866/year) in Sherwood. 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 Sherwood
- 1Research the Sherwood market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $108,866 to $128,671, 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 Sherwood, 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 Sherwood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sherwood'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 Sherwood is $87,241 ( 80.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $108,866, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,107.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,102
2025 BLS Actual
$105,368
2026 Current Est.
$108,866
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sherwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,321 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,636 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,368 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,481 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Sherwood, OR grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $77,102 in 2019 to $105,368 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,481. New graduates entering the Sherwood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sherwood 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 Sherwood
In the Sherwood region, primary care clinics and urgent care facilities represent the most accessible employers for recent graduates. These organizations often value structured onboarding programs, essential for helping new hires transition smoothly into their roles. Furthermore, graduates with key credentials—such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, state licensure, and optional DEA registration—will be in a better position to negotiate higher starting pay. For those interested in specialties, pursuing further qualifications can lead to roles in surgical subspecialties that often offer the highest compensation due to first-assist billing. Within the first three years of practice, physician assistants can realistically expect moderate salary growth, reflecting their evolving responsibilities and collaborative work with supervising physicians, particularly as states adapt to the Optimal Team Practice model, which enhances team dynamics in healthcare settings.
More salary data for Sherwood, 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 Sherwood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sherwood 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