Physician Assistant Salary in Tucson, AZ: $134,192 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Tucson, AZ earns a median $134,192/year (≈ $64.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $138,491 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average physician assistant salary in Tucson, AZ, reaches $134,192, a figure slightly below the national median of $140,391. This salary reflects the choices PAs face when considering employment structures, varying between W-2 hospital positions and 1099 surgical practice roles. Pay can fluctuate significantly depending on the type of work, ranging from $103,072 at the lower end (10th percentile) to an impressive $213,542 at the upper end (90th percentile). These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting how the local healthcare market influences compensation, especially given Tucson’s growing demand for PAs in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,072 | $49.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,893 | $60.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,192 | $64.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,523 | $80.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,542 | $102.66 |
Median Salary Position
4.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,470 (2026 est.). At $134,192, the local median is 4.42% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Tucson median: $134,192/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,485 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.42% less |
Physician Assistants in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $134,192 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.42% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.10% below the Arizona state average of $138,485.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $134,192 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,491 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,290
2025 BLS Actual
$129,880
2026 Current Est.
$134,192
2019–2027 Growth
+21.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,192 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 13.6% from $114,290 (2019) to $129,880 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,357 (21.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $103,072 – $124,893 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,893 – $134,192 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,192 – $167,523 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,523 – $213,542 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Tucson
The Tucson job market employs around 290 physician assistants, showcasing a robust demand in the healthcare sector. With a cost-of-living index of 96.896, Tucson presents an advantageous environment for PAs, providing somewhat greater purchasing power compared to national averages. High-paying opportunities are often found within hospital systems, particularly in surgical specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where PAs can take on first-assist roles and benefit from productivity bonuses. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the specialty practiced, call coverage requirements, and whether the employment is through a hospital or a private 1099 practice. For PAs in Tucson looking to maximize their income, focusing on specialties that offer higher remuneration and exploring opportunities within hospital environments could prove beneficial, especially as overall salaries are projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.32% in the coming years.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $129,880 for physician assistantsin the Tucson metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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