Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $99,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Pleasant Prairie, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $99,691 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pleasant Prairie's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $106,736 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,830) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pleasant Prairie presents a promising opportunity for newly graduated physician assistants looking to launch their careers in WI. In 2026, the starting physician assistant salary in this area is projected at $99,691, which positions new graduates significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $131,830. This salary gap may seem daunting initially; however, there is potential for growth over the first few years of employment. With focused development, new graduates can advance to the 25th percentile earnings of $117,743 within a few years, creating a pathway toward the median salary as they gain experience and establish themselves in the local healthcare market. Given the competitive landscape and the projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, Pleasant Prairie remains an attractive market for early-career PAs seeking both development and financial stability.
About the Pleasant Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pleasant Prairie
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 Pleasant Prairie
Entry-level physician assistants in Pleasant Prairie, WI typically start between $99,691 and $117,743 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,364 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,830 — 6.1% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Wisconsin of $78,000 represents just 78.24% of the starting physician assistant pay ($99,691/year) in Pleasant Prairie. 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 Pleasant Prairie
- 1Research the Pleasant Prairie market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $99,691 to $117,743, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pleasant Prairie's below-average 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 Pleasant Prairie is $79,364 ( 79.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $99,691, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,055.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,604
2025 BLS Actual
$96,488
2026 Current Est.
$99,691
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,604 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,769 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,929 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,488 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,001 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Pleasant Prairie, WI grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,604 in 2019 to $96,488 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,001. New graduates entering the Pleasant Prairie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
In Pleasant Prairie, a variety of employers recruit new physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, where structured onboarding is common. Additionally, hospital medicine groups may offer night-only schedules, conducive for new grads looking for flexible work hours. Credentials that elevate starting pay include a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), state PA license, and optional Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties. With a PA scope of practice influenced by state law and supervising physicians, new graduates should focus on building relationships and honing their skills within their first three years. Surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, find higher earning potential due to first-assist billing. In this evolving market, strategic positioning early in one’s career can lead to realistic salary growth, paving the way for a successful professional journey in this rewarding field.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, WI:
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 Pleasant Prairie. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pleasant Prairie 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