Physician Assistant Salary in Centennial, CO: $140,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Centennial, CO earns a median $140,280/year (≈ $67.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Centennial's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $133,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Centennial, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $140,280. This figure reflects the higher earnings typical of the first-assist billing model prevalent in surgical practices, particularly in specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. Salaries can range significantly, from $97,602 at the 10th percentile to $206,815 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for high-performing PAs. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for state-level conditions and regional pricing factors, affirming Centennial's competitive position in the broader physician assistant salary landscape.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,602 | $46.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,050 | $57.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,280 | $67.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,928 | $80.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,815 | $99.44 |
Median Salary Position
0.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Centennial
In Centennial, CO, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,213 (2026 est.). At $140,280, the local median is 0.08% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Centennial: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Centennial Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Centennial median: $140,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Centennial Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $139,028 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -0.08% less |
Physician Assistants in Centennial, CO earn a median of $140,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% above the Colorado state average of $139,028.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Centennial has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Centennial, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,600 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,171
2025 BLS Actual
$135,772
2026 Current Est.
$140,280
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,171 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,298 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,433 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,987 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,772 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,937 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Centennial metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $112,171 (2019) to $135,772 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,937 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,766 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Centennial 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) | $97,602 – $120,050 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,050 – $140,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,280 – $166,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,928 – $206,815 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Centennial
With only 16 physician assistants currently employed in the area, Centennial's local job market is relatively small yet promising. The cost of living index is at 105, indicating that living expenses are above the national average, which influences take-home purchasing power despite the solid base salary. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors such as specialty practice, first-assist case volume, and RVU productivity closely correlate with income disparity. To optimize earnings in Centennial, options include pursuing opportunities in surgical settings, engaging in high-volume practices, and considering hospital employment benefits over 1099 arrangements, which generally provide a more stable salary trajectory. Understanding these dynamics can significantly impact how much physician assistants make in Centennial, CO.
More salary data for Centennial, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Centennial, CO in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Centennial?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Centennial?
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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 $135,772 for physician assistantsin the Centennial 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
Salary data for Centennial 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