Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Reading, PA: $107,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Reading, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $107,690 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Reading's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $110,952 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,481) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Reading, Pennsylvania, can expect an entry-level salary starting at around $107,690. This figure reveals a notable gap when compared to the median physician assistant salary for the city, which stands at $134,481. For early-career PAs, there is potential for salary growth as they move from the 10th percentile through the 25th percentile ($124,532) toward the median in their first few years. Given Reading's competitive healthcare market and the projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, it appears that now is a favorable time for recent graduates to find opportunities in the area, especially as healthcare providers seek fresh talent to compensate for expanding patient needs.
Career Earnings Timeline in Reading
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 Reading
Entry-level physician assistants in Reading, PA typically start between $107,690 and $124,532 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,372 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,481 — 4.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Pennsylvania of $125,000 represents just 116.07% of the starting physician assistant pay ($107,690/year) in Reading. 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 Reading
- 1Research the Reading market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $107,690 to $124,532, 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 Reading, 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 Reading for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Reading'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 Reading is $56,372 ( 52.35%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $107,690, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,062.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,780
2025 BLS Actual
$104,230
2026 Current Est.
$107,690
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,266 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Reading, PA grew 43.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,780 in 2019 to $104,230 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $111,266. New graduates entering the Reading job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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 Reading
When it comes to securing starting positions, various employers in Reading are known to actively recruit new grad physician assistants. Primary care clinics and urgent care facilities typically offer structured onboarding programs, making them ideal choices for recent graduates seeking practical experience. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs often have established residency or fellowship pipelines specifically for PAs, while hospital medicine teams may provide night schedules that appeal to new entrants. To boost their starting pay within Pennsylvania, new graduates should ensure they possess a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtain NCCPA national certification, and secure their state PA license along with a DEA registration. While first-year salaries may vary widely based on these factors and practice settings, realistic growth in compensation over the initial years can be expected, especially for those who pursue specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, fields known for higher pay due to first-assist models that generate additional revenue. In the context of ongoing changes to the PA profession, such as the adoption of Optimal Team Practice, it’s crucial for new graduates to integrate into collaborative healthcare environments effectively.
More salary data for Reading, 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 Reading. 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