Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Coppell, TX: $99,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Coppell, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $99,431 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coppell's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $103,574 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,881) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Coppell, Texas offers a promising entry-level physician assistant salary for new graduates, with starting pay projected at approximately $99,431 in 2026. This initial figure represents a significant gap compared to the city's median annual salary of $134,881, indicating that early-career PAs may experience a gradual salary growth trajectory within their first few years. As they gain experience and skills, new PAs can expect compensation to rise toward the P25 salary of $118,919, with further increases possible over time. For recent graduates, Coppell currently serves as a favorable market, providing ample opportunities to establish a career in healthcare while developing their expertise in this growing field.
About the Coppell Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coppell
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 Coppell
Entry-level physician assistants in Coppell, TX typically start between $99,431 and $118,919 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,221 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,881 — 3.92% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Texas of $70,000 represents just 70.40% of the starting physician assistant pay ($99,431/year) in Coppell. 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 Coppell
- 1Research the Coppell market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $99,431 to $118,919, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Coppell, 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 Coppell for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coppell'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 Coppell is $90,221 ( 90.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $99,431, experienced hygienists can earn up to $189,652.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,419
2025 BLS Actual
$96,236
2026 Current Est.
$99,431
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Coppell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,274 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,168 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,732 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Coppell, TX grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,419 in 2019 to $96,236 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $102,732. New graduates entering the Coppell job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coppell 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 Coppell
In Coppell, primary care and urgent care clinics frequently seek new graduate physician assistants, offering structured onboarding programs that help ease entry into the professional world. Conversely, surgical subspecialty roles tend to recruit through residency or fellowship pipelines, which may require additional qualifications. To maximize earning potential in Texas, securing credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a solid state PA license is essential. The first few years in practice often focus on building experience under the supervision of a physician, as PA scope of practice is determined by various factors. Those pursuing surgical positions, particularly in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, might enjoy higher pay thanks to opportunities for first-assist billing. In this evolving job market, new grad physician assistant pay in TX can increase significantly based on specialization and experience level, making strategic career decisions crucial during the initial stages of practice.
More salary data for Coppell, TX:
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 Coppell. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coppell 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