Physician Assistant Salary in Evanston, IL: $136,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Evanston, IL earns a median $136,820/year (≈ $65.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $140,906 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Evanston is projected to reach an annual median of $136,820, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $140,391. Local salaries range significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $96,066, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $196,118. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, highlighting the financial landscape for physician assistants in this Illinois city. Given the choice between working in a W-2 hospital structure or a 1099 surgical practice, this decision can significantly influence earnings. The job market holds potential, especially for those entering surgical specialties, which tend to command the highest compensation.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,066 | $46.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,479 | $56.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,820 | $65.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,852 | $81.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,118 | $94.29 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,052 (2026 est.). At $136,820, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Evanston median: $136,820/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $137,646 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.54% less |
Physician Assistants in Evanston, IL earn a median of $136,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $137,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $136,820 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,906 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,405
2025 BLS Actual
$132,424
2026 Current Est.
$136,820
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,405 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,455 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,439 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,713 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,424 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,363 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $109,405 (2019) to $132,424 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,363 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,958 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $96,066 – $117,479 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,479 – $136,820 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,820 – $168,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,852 – $196,118 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Evanston
With only 16 physician assistants currently employed in Evanston, the local job market remains tight yet promising for new entrants. The cost of living index in Evanston stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, suggesting that, while salaries are competitive, the take-home pay may not stretch as far as in other areas. Institutions offering the highest pay tend to be hospitals and surgical specialty practices, including orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and emergency departments. Factors such as case volume, call coverage, and RVU productivity bonuses contribute to the disparity in pay within the field. For those seeking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Evanston, focusing on surgical specialties, negotiating within the hospital systems, and pursuing additional certifications can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Evanston, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Evanston?
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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 $132,424 for physician assistantsin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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