Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $99,986 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Pawtucket, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $99,986 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pawtucket's local price level (BEA RPP 100.5 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $99,489 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($140,939) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant field in Pawtucket, RI, can expect to see starting physician assistant salaries of around $99,986 in 2026. While this figure may initially seem modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $140,939, it represents a realistic entry point for those just beginning their careers. Over the first few years, new PAs can anticipate salary growth as they gain experience and integrate into their roles, with projections indicating progression to $121,786 by the 25th percentile. Given the positive growth trajectory of the healthcare market and a robust annual increase of 3.32%, Pawtucket presents an encouraging landscape for new grads seeking positions in a vibrant medical community.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pawtucket
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 Pawtucket
Entry-level physician assistants in Pawtucket, RI typically start between $99,986 and $121,786 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,680 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $140,939 — 0.39% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Rhode Island of $125,000 represents just 125.02% of the starting physician assistant pay ($99,986/year) in Pawtucket. 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 Pawtucket
- 1Research the Pawtucket market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $99,986 to $121,786, 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 RI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pawtucket, 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 Pawtucket for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pawtucket'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 Pawtucket is $103,680 ( 103.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $99,986, experienced hygienists can earn up to $203,666.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,812
2025 BLS Actual
$96,773
2026 Current Est.
$99,986
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,688 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,895 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,621 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,408 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,773 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,986 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,305 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Pawtucket, RI grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,812 in 2019 to $96,773 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,305. New graduates entering the Pawtucket job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket
Several healthcare settings in Pawtucket actively recruit new graduate PAs, with primary care and urgent care facilities often providing structured onboarding programs to help ease the transition from academia to practice. For those interested in surgical subspecialties, options like residency programs can further enhance their skills. To maximize starting pay in RI, maintaining credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification (PA-C), and licensure is crucial. Engaging in continuing medical education or obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications in specific fields can also elevate earning potential. In the first three years of practice, those specializing in surgery, particularly in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, may realize significant compensation advantages. Understanding the state laws governing PA practice, in conjunction with collaborative agreements with supervising physicians, will be essential for leveraging opportunities in this growing field.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
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 Pawtucket. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pawtucket 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