Physician Assistant Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $135,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $135,404/year (≈ $65.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $135,404 in 2026. While this figure is slightly below the national median of $140,391, the local salary range can be quite broad, spanning from $103,651 at the 10th percentile to as high as $191,617 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, illustrate a healthcare market influenced by the surgical versus primary care specialty gradient. Those working in surgical specialties typically earn more, reflecting the higher demand and complexity in those roles compared to primary care positions in the area.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,651 | $49.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,698 | $58.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,404 | $65.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,206 | $79.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,617 | $92.12 |
Median Salary Position
3.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,966 (2026 est.). At $135,404, the local median is 3.55% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $135,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $137,606 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -3.55% less |
Physician Assistants in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $135,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.55% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $137,606.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $135,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,272
2025 BLS Actual
$131,053
2026 Current Est.
$135,404
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,272 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,291 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,534 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,401 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,445 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $108,272 (2019) to $131,053 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,627 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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) | $103,651 – $122,698 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,698 – $135,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,404 – $165,206 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,206 – $191,617 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Arlington Heights
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are 18 physician assistants currently employed in Arlington Heights, contributing to a competitive salary environment. With a cost of living index at 97.1, professionals may find that take-home pay holds its own against living expenses, although the salaries may feel tighter compared to national averages. Employment opportunities vary by specialty, with surgical practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, generally offering the highest compensation. Distinctions in pay arise from factors such as case volume, call coverage requirements, and whether positions are hospital-employed or private practice roles. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring physician assistants should consider gaining experience in high-demand and higher-paying roles while also seeking out opportunities in specialty clinics that often provide lucrative RVU productivity bonuses.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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
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 $131,053 for physician assistantsin the Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights 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