Physician Assistant Salary in Sarasota, FL: $149,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Sarasota, FL earns a median $149,427/year (≈ $71.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Sarasota's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $148,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Sarasota, Florida, can expect a median annual salary of $149,427, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national level. The salary range for this role spans from $106,792 at the 10th percentile to $202,735 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability based on specialization and experience. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, suggest that surgical specialties may hold a significant advantage in earning potential, with pay for surgical PAs typically exceeding that of their primary care counterparts. This trend indicates a dynamic job market within Sarasota, where specialties influence compensation and career trajectories.
About the Sarasota Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,792 | $51.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,169 | $62.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,427 | $71.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,079 | $85.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,735 | $97.47 |
Median Salary Position
6.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sarasota
In Sarasota, FL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,943 (2026 est.). At $149,427, the local median is 6.44% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sarasota: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sarasota Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Sarasota median: $149,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sarasota Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $131,306 | +13.80% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +6.44% more |
Physician Assistants in Sarasota, FL earn a median of $149,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.44% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 13.80% above the Florida state average of $131,306.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sarasota has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sarasota, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $149,427 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,241 — a 0.79% 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
$119,485
2025 BLS Actual
$144,625
2026 Current Est.
$149,427
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sarasota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,816 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,388 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,527 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sarasota metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $119,485 (2019) to $144,625 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,903 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sarasota 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) | $106,792 – $130,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,169 – $149,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,427 – $177,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,079 – $202,735 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Sarasota
Given the employment of only 10 physician assistants in Sarasota, the compact job market may present challenges but also opportunities for growth. With a cost of living index slightly above the national average at 100.8, the real purchasing power for PAs can fluctuate, affecting lifestyle choices. Local employers such as hospital systems and surgical specialty practices often offer the highest compensation, capitalizing on the demand for high first-assist case volumes. Factors such as call coverage, RVU productivity bonuses, and the preference for hospital employment versus private practice can significantly impact earnings. PAs seeking to maximize their potential should consider pursuing roles in surgical specialties, enhancing their skills in high-demand areas, and negotiating effectively based on their unique value propositions within the Sarasota market.
More salary data for Sarasota, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Sarasota, FL in 2026?
Is Sarasota, FL a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Sarasota?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Sarasota?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Sarasota?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $144,625 for physician assistantsin the Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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