Physician Assistant Salary in Paducah, KY: $129,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Paducah, KY earns a median $129,140/year (≈ $62.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $150,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Paducah, Kentucky, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $129,140, which reflects a comparatively modest figure when analyzed against the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this role spans from $55,617 at the 10th percentile to $184,127 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse compensation spectrum that often correlates with the type of medical specialty practiced. Surgical physician assistants, notably those in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to command higher salaries due to their involvement in first-assist roles, which allows for increased billing opportunities. These insights derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight the specific considerations that shape the physician assistant job market in Paducah.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,617 | $26.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,459 | $50.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,140 | $62.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,461 | $67.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,127 | $88.52 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,510 (2026 est.). At $129,140, the local median is 8.01% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be above the median
How Paducah Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Paducah median: $129,140/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,378 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.01% less |
Physician Assistants in Paducah, KY earn a median of $129,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.00% above the Kentucky state average of $125,378.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $129,140 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,016 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,263
2025 BLS Actual
$124,990
2026 Current Est.
$129,140
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,263 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,911 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,427 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $103,263 (2019) to $124,990 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,427 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,164 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $55,617 – $105,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,459 – $129,140 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,140 – $139,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,461 – $184,127 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Paducah
Assessing the local job market, there are currently 60 physician assistants working in the Paducah region. The cost-of-living index of 86.084 indicates that the area is slightly below the national average, which could positively impact the purchasing power of physician assistants. Among the various employers, hospital systems tend to offer more stable W-2 positions with competitive benefits, while surgical specialty practices and emergency departments may provide higher-paying opportunities based on the procedural nature of the work. Factors influencing the pay differentials include case volume in surgical specialties, call coverage, and additional incentives such as RVU productivity bonuses. To maximize earning potential, physician assistants in Paducah might consider pursuing specializations in surgery, actively seek positions in high-demand areas, and negotiate benefit packages that include performance bonuses to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
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 $124,990 for physician assistantsin the Paducah 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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