Physician Assistant Salary in Melbourne, FL: $131,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Melbourne, FL earns a median $131,274/year (≈ $63.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $130,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected annual compensation for a physician assistant in Melbourne, Florida, is projected at $131,274. This figure reflects a notable salary range that spans from $96,087 at the lower end (P10) to $180,271 at the upper end (P90). These estimates, rooted in 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost variations, illustrate the compensation dynamics in this region. Physician assistants in Melbourne operate within a unique job market structure, where employment choices between traditional W-2 hospital roles or 1099 surgical practices can significantly impact earnings. Given the differences in billing practices and patient volume associated with these employment types, local PAs should weigh these factors when considering their career paths.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,087 | $46.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,653 | $55.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,274 | $63.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,866 | $75.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,271 | $86.66 |
Median Salary Position
6.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,184 (2026 est.). At $131,274, the local median is 6.49% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Melbourne Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $131,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,391 | -6.49% less |
Physician Assistants in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $131,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.49% lower than the national median of $140,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,274 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,232 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,970
2025 BLS Actual
$127,056
2026 Current Est.
$131,274
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,897 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,638 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,827 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,514 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,633 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $104,970 (2019) to $127,056 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,633 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,663 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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) | $96,087 – $115,653 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,653 – $131,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,274 – $156,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,866 – $180,271 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Melbourne
The job market for physician assistants in Melbourne remains robust, with around 12 PAs currently employed in the area. Local economic conditions, represented by a cost-of-living index of 100.8, indicate that while physician assistant salaries in Melbourne are slightly below the national average, they still provide a decent purchasing power. Notably, surgical specialty practices, particularly those focused on orthopedics and cardiothoracic procedures, tend to offer higher compensation compared to other care settings like primary care offices or urgent care chains. Variability in pay can be attributed to factors such as case volume, the demand for first-assist roles, and the differences in hospital employment versus private practice structures. To maximize earnings in this market, emerging PAs should consider pursuing roles in high-demand specialties, seeking opportunities with productivity bonuses, and possibly exploring locum tenens positions that can offer competitive pay rates.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
Is Melbourne, FL a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Melbourne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Melbourne?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Melbourne?
Related Pages
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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 $127,056 for physician assistantsin the Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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