Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Pasco, WA: $116,909 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Pasco, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $116,909 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pasco's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $108,854 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($155,479) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasco, Washington, new graduates entering the physician assistant field can anticipate a starting salary at the lower end of the spectrum. The entry-level physician assistant salary in Pasco is projected at $116,909 for 2026, which is significantly below the city’s median salary of $155,479. However, this starting figure is not indicative of stagnant pay; it represents a growth trajectory that allows entry-level PAs the opportunity to rise towards the 25th percentile at $139,306 and beyond within the first few years of their career. This range establishes a promising environment for new graduates, as Pasco is currently a stable market for entry-level PAs, with a growth rate of 3.32% anticipated annually, suggesting a favorable outlook for those taking their first steps into this professional realm.
About the Pasco Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pasco
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 Pasco
Entry-level physician assistants in Pasco, WA typically start between $116,909 and $139,306 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,083 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $155,479 — 10.75% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Washington of $100,000 represents just 85.54% of the starting physician assistant pay ($116,909/year) in Pasco. 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 Pasco
- 1Research the Pasco market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $116,909 to $139,306, 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 Pasco, 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 Pasco for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pasco'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 Pasco is $100,083 ( 85.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $116,909, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,992.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,797
2025 BLS Actual
$113,152
2026 Current Est.
$116,909
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pasco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,797 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,741 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,909 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,790 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Pasco, WA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $82,797 in 2019 to $113,152 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $120,790. New graduates entering the Pasco job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasco 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 Pasco
Employers in Pasco actively seek new graduate physician assistants, particularly within primary care and urgent care settings that offer structured onboarding programs designed to support recent graduates. Additionally, surgical subspecialties may recruit new PAs through dedicated residency and fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups often provide night-only schedules that cater to fresh graduates. To boost earning potential, new PAs should prioritize obtaining credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), state PA licensing, and DEA registration. Each of these qualifications enhances marketability and earning capacity. The collaborative nature of PA practice, governed by state law and supervising physicians, means that PAs working in surgical fields—particularly orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery—often enjoy the highest pay due to first-assist billing. As PAs establish themselves in their first three years, realistic increases in salary can be expected, particularly for those who build a strong foundation of experience and continue to pursue additional training and education.
More salary data for Pasco, 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 Pasco. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pasco 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