Physician Assistant Salary in Carmel, IN: $135,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Carmel, IN earns a median $135,136/year (≈ $64.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Carmel's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $148,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carmel, Indiana, the 2026 median annual salary for physician assistants is projected to be $135,136, reflecting a competitive position relative to national benchmarks. While the salary range falls between $102,841 at the lower decile and potentially up to $190,482 for those at the higher end, the local market exhibits a tendency for surgical specialty roles to command the most lucrative compensation. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, highlight the premium that surgical first-assist roles bring to the physician assistant salary in Carmel. With this specialized skill set increasingly in demand, those entering the field are well-positioned to benefit from the upward salary trend characterized by a 3.32% growth rate annually.
About the Carmel Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,841 | $49.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,001 | $58.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,136 | $64.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,426 | $79.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,482 | $91.58 |
Median Salary Position
3.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carmel
In Carmel, IN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,641 (2026 est.). At $135,136, the local median is 3.74% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carmel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carmel Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Carmel median: $135,136/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carmel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $131,200 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -3.74% less |
Physician Assistants in Carmel, IN earn a median of $135,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.74% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.00% above the Indiana state average of $131,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carmel has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carmel, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $135,136 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,058
2025 BLS Actual
$130,794
2026 Current Est.
$135,136
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Carmel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,981 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,293 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,153 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carmel metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $108,058 (2019) to $130,794 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,565 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carmel 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) | $102,841 – $122,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,001 – $135,136 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,136 – $164,426 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,426 – $190,482 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Carmel
The local job market for physician assistants in Carmel, with 15 currently employed professionals, indicates a steady demand, supported by a cost-of-living index of 91.3, which is below the national average. This lower cost structure enhances the purchasing power of residents, making local compensation values more attractive when factoring in lifestyle expenses. Among various employers, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, are noted to offer the most competitive pay compared to primary care offices and urgent care facilities. Factors such as surgical case volume, call coverage requirements, and the structure of compensation—whether employed or on a 1099 basis—affect earnings significantly. To maximize pay in Carmel, prospective physician assistants should consider aligning their specialty training toward in-demand areas and negotiating with employers regarding RVU productivity bonuses and other performance-based incentives.
More salary data for Carmel, IN:
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 $130,794 for physician assistantsin the Carmel 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 Carmel 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