Physician Assistant Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $126,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $126,024/year (≈ $60.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $139,407 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for a physician assistant in 2026 is $126,024. This figure reflects the enhanced compensation structure often associated with the first-assist billing model, especially prevalent in surgical specialties. Compensation can vary greatly, with salaries ranging from $98,733 at the 10th percentile to about $163,188 at the 90th percentile. The numbers presented here are based on the 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local regional cost of living factors. Given this context, Fort Dodge exhibits a competitive, if lower than the national average, job market for physician assistants, driven by the unique healthcare needs of the community.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,733 | $47.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,053 | $55.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,024 | $60.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,276 | $71.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,188 | $78.45 |
Median Salary Position
10.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,455 (2026 est.). At $126,024, the local median is 10.23% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $126,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $137,281 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -10.23% less |
Physician Assistants in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $126,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.23% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $137,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $126,024 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,407 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,771
2025 BLS Actual
$121,974
2026 Current Est.
$126,024
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,771 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,581 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,974 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,208 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $100,771 (2019) to $121,974 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,437 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $98,733 – $115,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,053 – $126,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,024 – $149,276 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,276 – $163,188 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Fort Dodge
In terms of employment dynamics, Fort Dodge only has four physician assistants currently employed, which limits competition but also reflects a niche market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.4, indicating that the purchasing power of a physician assistant salary in Fort Dodge is somewhat elevated due to lower living expenses compared to larger metropolitan areas. Those seeking higher compensation within the local market would benefit from aiming for positions in surgical specialties like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, where demand and pay are generally higher. Variations in salary are often driven by the type of practice—hospital employment tends to offer more stability and benefits, whereas 1099 arrangements can lead to variable income based on call coverage and patient case volume. As such, developing expertise and seeking out opportunities that lever-age RVU productivity bonuses can make a significant impact on overall earnings in Fort Dodge, IA.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
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 $121,974 for physician assistantsin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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