Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Easton, PA: $101,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Easton, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $101,490 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Easton's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,199 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,687) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Easton, Pennsylvania, new physician assistants entering the workforce in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $101,490, placing them at the lower end of the local salary spectrum. This figure is significantly below the median annual salary of $131,687 for the region, illustrating a gap that new grads should be mindful of as they begin their careers. Transitioning from the starting pay to the 25th percentile at $119,364 within the first few years showcases potential growth, aligning with a more favorable financial outlook as they gain experience. With a projected 3.32% annual growth rate, Easton currently presents a stable market for new graduates, making it an appealing location for those recently completing their Master's in a program accredited by the ARC-PA.
About the Easton Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Easton
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 Easton
Entry-level physician assistants in Easton, PA typically start between $101,490 and $119,364 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $81,074 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,687 — 6.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Pennsylvania of $125,000 represents just 123.16% of the starting physician assistant pay ($101,490/year) in Easton. 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 Easton
- 1Research the Easton market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $101,490 to $119,364, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Easton, 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 Easton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Easton'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 Easton is $81,074 ( 79.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $101,490, experienced hygienists can earn up to $182,564.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,878
2025 BLS Actual
$98,229
2026 Current Est.
$101,490
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Easton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,878 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,812 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,849 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,281 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,229 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,860 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Easton, PA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,878 in 2019 to $98,229 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,860. New graduates entering the Easton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Easton 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 Easton
Employers in Easton actively seek out recent graduates for various roles, notably in primary care and urgent care settings that offer structured onboarding programs tailored for new physician assistants. Many hospitals also have night-only shifts, providing flexible work options while catering to the city’s healthcare needs. To enhance starting salaries, obtaining a state license, national certification from the NCCPA, and completing continuing education courses focused on subspecialties can prove beneficial. In the first three years, PAs working in surgical subspecialties—especially in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery—often achieve the highest pay due to billing practices associated with first-assist roles. With a clear understanding of PA scope under state laws and under the supervision of collaborating physicians, new graduates can strategize their career paths effectively, setting the stage for upward mobility in their chosen field.
More salary data for Easton, PA:
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 Easton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Easton 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