Physician Assistant Salary in Urbana, IL: $144,070 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Urbana, IL earns a median $144,070/year (≈ $69.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $148,373 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, Illinois, the 2026 median annual salary for physician assistants is projected at $144,070, slightly above the national median of $140,391. The local salary range spans from $114,247 at the 10th percentile to as high as $198,414 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse landscape in compensation. This variance can largely be attributed to the demand for surgical PAs, who benefit significantly from first-assist billing models, especially in specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. These roles not only demand advanced skills but also play a pivotal part in surgical teams, directly impacting earning potential in the Urbana job market.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,247 | $54.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,961 | $63.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,070 | $69.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,518 | $83.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,414 | $95.40 |
Median Salary Position
2.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,167 (2026 est.). At $144,070, the local median is 2.62% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Urbana median: $144,070/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $137,603 | +4.70% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +2.62% more |
Physician Assistants in Urbana, IL earn a median of $144,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.62% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 4.70% above the Illinois state average of $137,603.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $144,070 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,373 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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
$115,202
2025 BLS Actual
$139,441
2026 Current Est.
$144,070
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,202 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,715 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,312 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,070 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $115,202 (2019) to $139,441 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,652 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $114,247 – $132,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,961 – $144,070 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,070 – $173,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,518 – $198,414 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Urbana
Presently, only six physician assistants are employed in Urbana, highlighting a relatively small local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, salaries provide a comfortable standard of living when adjusted for local expenses. Employers such as hospital systems and surgical specialty practices typically offer the best compensation; however, the variability in pay can stem from several factors, including the nature of the specialty practice, the volume of first-assist cases, and the structure of employment—whether W-2 or 1099. Surgical PAs, in particular, can maximize their income potential by pursuing roles in high-volume surgical settings or negotiating for RVU productivity bonuses. Those seeking to enter the market should also consider continuous education and certification through organizations like AAPA and NCCPA to remain competitive amid evolving healthcare demands.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Urbana, IL in 2026?
Is Urbana, IL a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Urbana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Urbana?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Urbana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $139,441 for physician assistantsin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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