Physician Assistant Salary in Thornton, CO: $141,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Thornton, CO earns a median $141,199/year (≈ $67.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $134,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Thornton, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $141,199, slightly surpassing the national median of $140,391. The compensation range is broad, with entry-level salaries starting around $97,463 and experienced professionals earning as much as $206,788. These figures are informed by estimates based on 2025 BLS data and reflect adjustments for regional cost variances. The choice between employment in a W-2 hospital setting versus a 1099 structure in surgical practices significantly impacts earning potential, with surgical specialties typically offering higher compensation due to the demands of first-assist roles and varying case volumes. As such, Thornton’s job market holds promise for physician assistants, particularly those with specialized skills.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,463 | $46.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,246 | $57.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,199 | $67.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,195 | $84.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,788 | $99.41 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,325 (2026 est.). At $141,199, the local median is 0.58% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Thornton median: $141,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $138,976 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +0.58% more |
Physician Assistants in Thornton, CO earn a median of $141,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $138,976.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,199 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,475 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$112,906
2025 BLS Actual
$136,662
2026 Current Est.
$141,199
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,054 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,662 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,887 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $112,906 (2019) to $136,662 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,887 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,981 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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) | $97,463 – $120,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,246 – $141,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,199 – $176,195 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,195 – $206,788 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Thornton
The local job market in Thornton currently has approximately 34 physician assistants employed, which suggests a stable but competitive environment for positioning oneself advantageously. With a cost-of-living index of 105, the earning power of PA salaries in this area may be somewhat tempered, making it essential for current and aspiring PAs to understand their financial landscape. Higher salaries are typically associated with hospitals and specialized surgical practices, like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, while primary care and urgent care settings often offer lower pay. Factors such as call coverage, RVU productivity incentives, and specialization contribute to the variance in pay. To maximize earnings in Thornton, physician assistants should consider seeking opportunities in high-demand specialties, negotiating contract terms effectively, and staying informed about market trends to enhance their financial outcomes.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Thornton, CO in 2026?
Is Thornton, CO a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Thornton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Thornton?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Thornton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $136,662 for physician assistantsin the Thornton 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 Thornton 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