Physician Assistant Salary in District of Columbia: $153,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $153,120/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,872 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($148,200).
In the District of Columbia, the average median salary for physician assistants is projected to be $153,120 in 2026, which is 9.1% higher than the national median of $140,391. Washington is the only metro area in the district, with no salary variation; both the highest and lowest paying positions are at $153,120. This salary uniformity may stem from a centralized healthcare system and high demand for healthcare services in the capital, contributing to a total employment figure of 3,020 physician assistants in the region. The job market outlook in the District of Columbia indicates a growth rate of 3.32% annually, according to BLS data. Factors driving demand include an aging population and the ongoing need for primary care providers. Licensing requirements in the district are rigorous, and physician assistants enjoy a significant scope of practice, allowing them to perform various medical duties under physician supervision. This environment fosters job security and potential for career development. Overall, the combination of competitive salaries, a strong job growth trajectory, and supportive legislative frameworks make the District of Columbia a significant location for physician assistants in 2026.
District of Columbia Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $111,617 (lowest entry-level) to $220,846 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia physician assistants earn 9.07% more than the national median (+$12,729/year difference).
District of Columbia Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in District of Columbia range from $111,617 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $220,846 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $153,120. The District of Columbia median is $12,729 above the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $73.62/hr. Approximately 3,020 physician assistants are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$111,750
2025 BLS Actual
$148,200
2026 Current Est.
$153,120
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 32.6% from $111,750 (2019) to $148,200 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,454 (41.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $111,617 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $153,120 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $220,846 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $153,120 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
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
Statewide 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. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physician assistant compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physician assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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