Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $94,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Wilkes-Barre, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $94,120 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilkes-Barre's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $96,632 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($127,837) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates in the physician assistant field aiming for positions in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can anticipate starting pay around $94,120 in 2026. This figure is substantially below the city median annual salary of $127,837, indicating that entry-level roles offer a lower starting point as new PAs begin their careers. However, with diligent work and experience, fresh graduates can leverage the prospects in this locality to see significant increases in their earnings, as the range from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile is projected to rise through the first few years of practice. Wilkes-Barre presents a viable market for new medical professionals, particularly with a growth rate of 3.32% anticipated in the coming years.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilkes-Barre
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 Wilkes-Barre
Entry-level physician assistants in Wilkes-Barre, PA typically start between $94,120 and $113,020 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,564 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $127,837 — 8.94% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Pennsylvania of $125,000 represents just 132.81% of the starting physician assistant pay ($94,120/year) in Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre
- 1Research the Wilkes-Barre market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $94,120 to $113,020, 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 Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilkes-Barre'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 Wilkes-Barre is $78,564 ( 83.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $94,120, experienced hygienists can earn up to $172,684.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,658
2025 BLS Actual
$91,096
2026 Current Est.
$94,120
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,658 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,443 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,151 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,245 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wilkes-Barre, PA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,658 in 2019 to $91,096 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $97,245. New graduates entering the Wilkes-Barre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, several healthcare settings actively recruit entry-level physician assistants, making it a favorable environment for new grads. Primary care facilities and urgent care practices often hire inexperienced PAs and provide structured onboarding programs, setting the stage for skill development. In contrast, surgical subspecialty programs commonly seek candidates through residency and fellowship pipelines, emphasizing the importance of starting with a solid credentialing foundation that includes a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification. Establishing licenses and possibly pursuing specific Certificates of Added Qualifications can help boost starting pay in Pennsylvania significantly. Initially, PAs should expect to see salary growth in their first three years, particularly if they take positions in surgical specialties; these roles may command higher pay due to first-assist billing. Furthermore, understanding the scope of practice regulated by state law and physician collaboration will serve well for new PAs aiming to navigate their early careers effectively.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilkes-Barre 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