Physician Assistant Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $130,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $130,760/year (≈ $62.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $144,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, physician assistants in Marshalltown, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $130,760, reflecting a compelling but nuanced pay scale when compared to national figures. Salary ranges vary significantly, with the lowest 10% making approximately $100,569 and the highest 90% earning up to $176,084. These estimates are influenced by local market conditions and the overall cost of living index in Marshalltown, which stands at 90.4, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living relative to national benchmarks. The local job market's pay scales reveal a preference for surgical specialties, which tend to offer higher salaries compared to primary care roles, making it essential for aspiring physician assistants to consider their focus areas when evaluating compensation prospects in this city.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,569 | $48.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,464 | $55.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,760 | $62.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,447 | $74.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,084 | $84.66 |
Median Salary Position
6.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,515 (2026 est.). At $130,760, the local median is 6.86% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marshalltown Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $130,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $137,353 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -6.86% less |
Physician Assistants in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $130,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.86% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $137,353.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown 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.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $130,760 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,558
2025 BLS Actual
$126,558
2026 Current Est.
$130,760
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,192 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,365 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,597 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,558 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $104,558 (2019) to $126,558 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,543 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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) | $100,569 – $115,464 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,464 – $130,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,760 – $155,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,447 – $176,084 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Marshalltown
When analyzing the employment climate for physician assistants in Marshalltown, it's notable that only eight professionals currently practice in the area. This limited pool can lead to competitive dynamics that affect salary scales, particularly for those working in specialized settings such as surgical practices and emergency departments. Employers in these high-demand sectors often provide better compensation compared to general primary care offices. Given the lower cost of living, the take-home pay can stretch further, which is an attractive factor for potential job seekers. The variance in compensation also hinges on several factors, including case volume, call coverage responsibilities, and payment models between hospital employment versus independent practice. To maximize earnings in Marshalltown, gaining experience in surgical assistance or pursuing roles that incorporate performance-based incentives, such as RVU productivity bonuses, can be particularly beneficial for those wondering how much do physician assistants make in Marshalltown IA.
More salary data for Marshalltown, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Marshalltown, IA in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Marshalltown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Marshalltown?
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Career Resources
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 $126,558 for physician assistantsin the Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown 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