Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Wausau, WI: $109,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Wausau, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $109,767 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wausau's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $118,474 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,295) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates embarking on their careers as physician assistants in Wausau, Wisconsin, the entry-level physician assistant salary presents a promising start at around $109,767 in 2026. While this figure is considerably lower than the projected median salary of $134,295 for the area, it provides a tangible starting point for recent PA program graduates. In the early years of practice, new PAs can expect to see steady salary progression, moving from the initial pay to approximately $126,433 after gaining experience and skills. With a solid growth rate of 3.32% annually, Wausau is establishing itself as a favorable market for new graduates, making it an attractive option for those launching their careers in the healthcare field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wausau
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 Wausau
Entry-level physician assistants in Wausau, WI typically start between $109,767 and $126,433 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $57,870 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,295 — 4.34% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Wisconsin of $78,000 represents just 71.06% of the starting physician assistant pay ($109,767/year) in Wausau. 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 Wausau
- 1Research the Wausau market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $109,767 to $126,433, 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 Wausau, 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 Wausau for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wausau'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 Wausau is $57,870 ( 52.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $109,767, experienced hygienists can earn up to $167,637.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$104,310
2025 BLS Actual
$106,240
2026 Current Est.
$109,767
2019–2027 Growth
+8.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,411 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wausau, WI grew 1.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $104,310 in 2019 to $106,240 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $113,411. New graduates entering the Wausau job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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 Wausau
In Wausau, several healthcare employers actively seek to hire new graduate physician assistants, especially in primary care and urgent care settings where structured onboarding programs are available. Surgical subspecialties and hospital medicine groups also present opportunities, although they may have more competitive entry criteria. To enhance starting pay, credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, and state licensure are essential. New PAs should focus on maximizing their experience in diverse healthcare environments, particularly in surgical fields where positions command higher salaries due to first-assist billing practices. As confidence and clinical abilities develop in the first years, salary growth is achievable, aligning well with the expectations for new grad physician assistant pay in WI. Embracing community practices and considering the Optimal Team Practice model can further facilitate career advancement and income potential while establishing a solid footing in this rewarding profession.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. 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