Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Midland, TX: $57,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Midland, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,890 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Midland's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,439 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($163,452) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective physician assistants entering the workforce in Midland, Texas, can anticipate a starting salary around $57,890, significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $163,452. This presents a considerable gap, though it reflects the typical trajectory for new grads. Within the first 3-5 years, entry-level salaries can grow from the 10th percentile up to approximately $124,842 at the 25th percentile, showcasing an upward trend as new professionals gain experience and establish themselves in the field. Given Midland’s strong healthcare market, particularly in primary care and urgent care sectors, the outlook for new graduate positions is promising in 2026, providing ample opportunities for career progression and salary increases.
Career Earnings Timeline in Midland
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 Midland
Entry-level physician assistants in Midland, TX typically start between $57,890 and $124,842 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $126,288 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $163,452 — 16.43% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Texas of $70,000 represents just 120.92% of the starting physician assistant pay ($57,890/year) in Midland. 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 Midland
- 1Research the Midland market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $57,890 to $124,842, 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 Midland, 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 Midland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Midland'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 Midland is $126,288 ( 218.15%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,890, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,178.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,250
2025 BLS Actual
$56,030
2026 Current Est.
$57,890
2019–2027 Growth
+-29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Midland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,812 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Midland, TX grew -33.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $84,250 in 2019 to $56,030 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,812. New graduates entering the Midland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Midland 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 Midland
In Midland, several employers hire new graduate physician assistants and offer structured onboarding programs that facilitate entry into the profession. Notably, primary care facilities and urgent care clinics actively recruit entry-level PAs, while surgical subspecialty programs may prefer candidates who have completed residency or fellowship pipelines. To boost initial pay, it's essential for new PAs to hold a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, acquire NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and obtain a state license and DEA registration. During the first few years, PAs can also consider pursuing additional credentials, such as a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties. Realistically, those starting their careers can expect growth in salary as they establish their practice under state regulations and supervision. For instance, surgical PAs, especially in orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, often earn higher wages due to their role in first-assist billing, a vital aspect of the industry that new graduates should consider as they plan their career trajectory in Midland.
More salary data for Midland, 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 Midland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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