Physician Assistant Salary in Tampa, FL: $132,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Tampa, FL earns a median $132,064/year (≈ $63.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $130,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $132,064 for 2026, the physician assistant salary in Tampa reflects a competitive compensation framework, particularly influenced by the first-assist billing model prevalent in surgical practices. This model allows surgical physician assistants to earn more significantly, impacting overall salary structures. The salary range for this role in Tampa varies notably, falling between $101,801 at the 10th percentile and $179,446 at the 90th percentile, giving a clear indication of the income variability based on experience, specialty, and employment setting. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026 reveals that, while Tampa's compensation is slightly below the national median of $140,391, it remains robust within the context of Florida’s healthcare market, which is expanding due to demographic growth and increasing healthcare demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,801 | $48.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,552 | $53.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,064 | $63.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,803 | $76.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,446 | $86.27 |
Median Salary Position
5.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,645 (2026 est.). At $132,064, the local median is 5.93% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tampa Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Tampa median: $132,064/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $131,276 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -5.93% less |
Physician Assistants in Tampa, FL earn a median of $132,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.93% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.60% above the Florida state average of $131,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,064 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,899 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,710
2025 BLS Actual
$127,820
2026 Current Est.
$132,064
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 16.5% from $109,710 (2019) to $127,820 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,738 (24.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $101,801 – $110,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,552 – $132,064 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,064 – $158,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,803 – $179,446 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Tampa
Tampa's local job market for physician assistants remains vigorous, with approximately 1,420 professionals currently employed. The cost of living index stands at 100.89, just above the national average, which influences take-home purchasing power for professionals in the area. Top employers, such as hospital systems and specialized surgical practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic areas, tend to offer the highest compensation. Factors contributing to the disparity in physician assistant pay in Tampa FL include the specialty practiced (with surgical roles generally commanding higher salaries than those in primary care), case volume, call coverage, and the type of employment arrangement, as those in hospital employment structures typically benefit from different incentives compared to 1099 locum roles. To maximize earnings in this evolving market, physician assistants should consider pursuing further specialization and actively negotiate contracts that reflect their skills and productivity.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Tampa, FL in 2026?
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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 $127,820 for physician assistantsin the Tampa 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
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