Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Bristol, VA: $96,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Bristol, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,681 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bristol's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $93,683 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($124,182) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the field as physician assistants in Bristol, Virginia can expect a starting annual salary around $96,681 in 2026. This initial compensation is notably lower than the city’s median of $124,182, highlighting the typical earnings gap faced by new professionals. However, the salary trajectory is promising; as experience and skills grow, many new grads can anticipate moving towards the first quartile earnings of $112,831 within just a few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, Bristol presents a somewhat favorable market for recent PA graduates. Those entering this profession will find a healthy demand for their skills, providing opportunities for growth in both earnings and career advancement.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bristol
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 Bristol
Entry-level physician assistants in Bristol, VA typically start between $96,681 and $112,831 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,560 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $124,182 — 11.55% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Virginia of $85,000 represents just 87.92% of the starting physician assistant pay ($96,681/year) in Bristol. 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 Bristol
- 1Research the Bristol market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $96,681 to $112,831, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bristol, 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 Bristol for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bristol'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 Bristol is $67,560 ( 69.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,681, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,241.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,472
2025 BLS Actual
$93,574
2026 Current Est.
$96,681
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,472 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,387 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,239 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,890 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Bristol, VA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,472 in 2019 to $93,574 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $99,890. New graduates entering the Bristol job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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 Bristol
When seeking employment, new graduate physician assistants in Bristol can target various healthcare settings, including primary care and urgent care facilities, which often provide structured onboarding programs for fresh graduates. Alternatively, surgical subspecialty programs may recruit through residency and fellowship pipelines, offering pathways into specialized practice areas. Credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and an active state license are foundational for competitive starting pay in Virginia. To enhance earnings potential further, pursuing a Certificate of Added Qualifications in various subspecialties may prove beneficial. Within the first three years, PAs can realistically expect modest salary increases, especially for those working in high-demand areas such as surgical practices, where first-assist billing can significantly impact compensation. The collaboration between PAs and supervising physicians influences job scope and income potential, making it essential for graduates to understand the local practice environment as they start their careers.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Bristol in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Bristol?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Bristol?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Bristol?
How do I become a physician assistant in Virginia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Bristol. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bristol 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