Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Kennewick, WA: $127,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Kennewick, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $127,786 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kennewick's local price level (BEA RPP 100.1 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $127,685 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($159,350) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the physician assistant profession in Kennewick, WA, the starting physician assistant salary is projected to be around $127,786 in 2026. This figure represents a significant step into the field, particularly when gauged against the overall median salary of $159,350 for physician assistants in the area. The pay landscape for entry-level positions shows that a motivated PA can expect to see progression towards the P25 value of $138,170 fairly quickly, indicating that the market provides a healthy growth trajectory over the first three to five years of practice. Given these figures, Kennewick stands as a promising locale for newly minted PAs, offering competitive starting pay that is higher than the national median of $140,391, placing it approximately 13.50% above the national average for entry-level salaries.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kennewick
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 Kennewick
Entry-level physician assistants in Kennewick, WA typically start between $127,786 and $138,170 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,786 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $159,350 — 13.5% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Washington of $100,000 represents just 78.26% of the starting physician assistant pay ($127,786/year) in Kennewick. 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 Kennewick
- 1Research the Kennewick market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $127,786 to $138,170, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kennewick, 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 Kennewick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kennewick'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 Kennewick is $80,786 ( 63.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $127,786, experienced hygienists can earn up to $208,572.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,500
2025 BLS Actual
$123,680
2026 Current Est.
$127,786
2019–2027 Growth
+68.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,029 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Kennewick, WA grew 57.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $78,500 in 2019 to $123,680 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $132,029. New graduates entering the Kennewick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Within Kennewick, several healthcare employers recognize the value of recruiting new PA graduates and provide tailored onboarding programs that help ease the transition into practice. Primary care clinics and urgent care centers are often open to hiring recent graduates, fostering a culture of mentorship and training during the early stages of a PA's career. Hospitals also extend opportunities for new graduates through structured residency programs, especially in surgical specialties that often yield higher compensation due to their billing advantages. Credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, and obtaining state licensure are essential for boosting initial salaries in Washington. A clear career strategy for the first few years should focus on maximizing skills and knowledge in the evolving scope of practice, especially as states adopt the Optimal Team Practice model. In terms of salary growth, new PAs can reasonably expect a steady increase over those initial years, especially if they pursue specialized training or certifications that align with the needs of their employers.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 Kennewick. 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