Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $100,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Cottonwood Heights, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $100,851 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cottonwood Heights's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $102,804 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,636) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, new graduates entering the physician assistant profession can anticipate an entry-level salary around $100,851, marking the starting point for fresh graduates in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $136,636 for this role within the city. The growth trajectory for new PAs in their early career is promising; as they gain experience and build their skills, salaries could rise to approximately $120,666, nearing the overall city median over the course of their first few years. For recent graduates considering career opportunities in Cottonwood Heights, the current market presents a reasonable starting point, especially in comparison to broader national salary expectations.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cottonwood Heights
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 Cottonwood Heights
Entry-level physician assistants in Cottonwood Heights, UT typically start between $100,851 and $120,666 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $83,082 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,636 — 2.67% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Utah of $75,000 represents just 74.37% of the starting physician assistant pay ($100,851/year) in Cottonwood Heights. 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 Cottonwood Heights
- 1Research the Cottonwood Heights market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $100,851 to $120,666, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cottonwood Heights, 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 Cottonwood Heights for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cottonwood Heights'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 Cottonwood Heights is $83,082 ( 82.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $100,851, experienced hygienists can earn up to $183,933.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,425
2025 BLS Actual
$97,610
2026 Current Est.
$100,851
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,425 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,552 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,327 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,447 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,199 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cottonwood Heights, UT grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,425 in 2019 to $97,610 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,199. New graduates entering the Cottonwood Heights job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights
When looking for employment, new grad physician assistants in Cottonwood Heights will find that various healthcare facilities actively hire early-career PAs. Primary care offices and urgent care clinics typically have structured onboarding processes tailored for recent graduates. Meanwhile, surgical subspecialty programs often engage new PAs through dedicated residency or fellowship pipelines, highlighting the potential for rapid skill enhancement. Having the appropriate credentials, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and national certification (PA-C) from NCCPA, can lead to improved starting pay in the state of Utah. Furthermore, the first years in this profession are crucial for building a solid foundation; gaining experience in high-demand areas, especially in surgical settings like orthopedics, can significantly elevate salary potential. Considering the projected 3.32% annual growth rate, it is reasonable for new PAs to expect solid growth in their earnings within the first three years, aligning with the increasing recognition of PAs in modern healthcare settings.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, UT:
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 Cottonwood Heights. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cottonwood Heights 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