Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Providence, RI: $100,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Providence, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $100,086 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Providence's local price level (BEA RPP 101.8 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $98,342 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($144,576) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of physician assistants in Providence, Rhode Island, the anticipated starting pay is $100,086 in 2026. This entry-level salary presents a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $144,576, suggesting that early-career professionals may face a challenging financial landscape as they begin their careers. However, the growth trajectory for new PAs can be promising. As they accumulate experience, they may find themselves moving toward the P25 salary of $133,665 within their first few years. This upward trend indicates that Providence is a favorable market for new graduates, especially with an anticipated annual growth rate of 3.32% for the occupation. Thus, newly minted physician assistants should be optimistic about both job opportunities and salary advancements in their early careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Providence
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 Providence
Entry-level physician assistants in Providence, RI typically start between $100,086 and $133,665 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $93,205 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $144,576 — 2.98% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Rhode Island of $125,000 represents just 124.89% of the starting physician assistant pay ($100,086/year) in Providence. 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 Providence
- 1Research the Providence market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $100,086 to $133,665, 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 Providence, 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 Providence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Providence'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 Providence is $93,205 ( 93.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $100,086, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,291.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,883
2025 BLS Actual
$96,870
2026 Current Est.
$100,086
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,883 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,409 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Providence, RI grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,883 in 2019 to $96,870 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,409. New graduates entering the Providence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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 Providence
In Providence, employers actively hiring new graduate physician assistants often include primary care clinics and urgent care facilities that offer structured onboarding programs. These positions can provide valuable experience and mentorship in the initial phase of a PA's career. Surgical subspecialties, particularly those involving residency or fellowship pipelines, also recruit PAs, although new grads may need to reach out proactively. It is essential that candidates possess the right credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and a national certification from NCCPA to be competitive. New PAs should also consider obtaining state licenses and DEA registrations to broaden their job prospects. The first 1-3 years in the profession may see average salary growth as PAs gain experience, particularly if they specialize in high-demand areas such as orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, where they can leverage their skills to command higher pay due to first-assist billing practices. By understanding the various career pathways and building their skill sets, new physicians assistants in RI can effectively navigate the early stages of their careers while working toward improved compensation.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Providence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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