Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Newport News, VA: $99,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Newport News, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $99,044 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Newport News's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $95,973 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,643) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newport News, Virginia, the starting physician assistant salary in 2026 is anticipated to be around $99,044, significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $131,643. This gap represents a common early-career reality for new graduates, who can expect gradual salary increases with experience, potentially reaching $118,702 within a few years in the field. The projected entry-level figure places Newport News slightly below the national average for entry-level positions, which reflects a 6.23% decrease compared to the national median of $140,391. However, given the local market and projected job growth rate of 3.32%, Newport News still offers a viable path for new graduates looking to establish themselves in a rewarding and dynamic healthcare career.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Newport News
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 Newport News
Entry-level physician assistants in Newport News, VA typically start between $99,044 and $118,702 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $91,986 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,643 — 6.23% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Virginia of $85,000 represents just 85.82% of the starting physician assistant pay ($99,044/year) in Newport News. 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 Newport News
- 1Research the Newport News market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $99,044 to $118,702, 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 Newport News, 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 Newport News for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Newport News'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 Newport News is $91,986 ( 92.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $99,044, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,030.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,145
2025 BLS Actual
$95,861
2026 Current Est.
$99,044
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,984 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,852 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,225 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,332 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Newport News, VA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,145 in 2019 to $95,861 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $102,332. New graduates entering the Newport News job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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 Newport News
Employers in Newport News that actively recruit new grad physician assistants include primary care and urgent care clinics, where structured onboarding programs are ideal for recent graduates. Hospital medicine groups are another excellent avenue, often providing opportunities for PAs looking to work night-only schedules. Prospective PAs can enhance their earning potential by obtaining credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification, and state licensure. Career strategy for the first few years should focus on gaining versatile experience, as surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics and cardiac surgery, generally earn higher salaries because of first-assist billing capabilities. Realistically, within the first three years, earnings can trend upward as PAs solidify their skills and expand their professional networks, contributing to their overall career advancement in well-compensated specialties.
More salary data for Newport News, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Newport News in 2026?
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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 Newport News. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Newport News 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