Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Huron, SD: $95,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Huron, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $95,194 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Huron's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $102,580 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,150) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those stepping into the role of a physician assistant in Huron, South Dakota, can expect a starting salary close to $95,194. This entry-level pay represents a notable gap from the city’s median annual salary of $120,150. However, the earnings trajectory for new grads tends to improve as they gain experience. Over the initial years of practice, newly minted PAs can anticipate earnings climbing from the entry-level rate toward the first quartile mark of $110,368 and beyond. This upward trajectory, coupled with Huron's relatively low cost of living—a cost of living index at 92.8—makes the local job market an appealing option for fresh graduates looking to establish their careers in healthcare.
About the Huron Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Huron
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 Huron
Entry-level physician assistants in Huron, SD typically start between $95,194 and $110,368 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,707 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,150 — 14.42% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in South Dakota of $65,000 represents just 68.28% of the starting physician assistant pay ($95,194/year) in Huron. 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 Huron
- 1Research the Huron market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $95,194 to $110,368, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Huron, 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 Huron for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Huron's below-average 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 Huron is $61,707 ( 64.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $95,194, experienced hygienists can earn up to $156,901.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,419
2025 BLS Actual
$92,135
2026 Current Est.
$95,194
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,108 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,709 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,354 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Huron, SD grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,419 in 2019 to $92,135 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $98,354. New graduates entering the Huron job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huron 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 Huron
Employers in Huron that commonly hire new graduates include primary care practices and urgent care centers, which often have structured onboarding programs designed to support inexperienced PAs. Surgical subspecialty programs may recruit through residency or fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups may offer flexible night-only schedules. For those looking to enhance their entry level physician assistant salary in Huron, possessing a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and obtaining NCCPA certification as a PA-C significantly boosts earning potential. Compliance with state licensing and potential DEA registration can also enhance job market prospects. The first few years after graduation typically involve adapting to the scope of practice governed by local laws and the supervising physician’s collaboration. Maintaining awareness of the evolving Optimal Team Practice model and potential specializations, particularly in high-demand areas like orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, can further position new graduates for success and salary growth in Huron's healthcare sector.
More salary data for Huron, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Huron in 2026?
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What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Huron?
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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 Huron. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huron 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