Physician Assistant Salary in Richmond, KY: $123,443 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Richmond, KY earns a median $123,443/year (≈ $59.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $138,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For physician assistants in Richmond, KY, choosing between W-2 employment with local hospitals and 1099 arrangements with surgical practices is a significant determinant of salary. In 2026, the projected median annual pay stands at $123,443, reflecting a range from $90,999 at the lower end (P10) to $162,514 at the higher end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, highlight both the earning potential and the competitive market environment in the area. As Richmond continues to grow, the dynamics of employment options will shape the job outlook and earning potential for physician assistants.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,999 | $43.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,220 | $52.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,443 | $59.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,771 | $70.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,514 | $78.13 |
Median Salary Position
12.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, KY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,515 (2026 est.). At $123,443, the local median is 12.07% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Richmond median: $123,443/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,322 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -12.07% less |
Physician Assistants in Richmond, KY earn a median of $123,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.07% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $125,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $123,443 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,708
2025 BLS Actual
$119,476
2026 Current Est.
$123,443
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,858 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,798 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,323 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,116 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,476 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,443 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $98,708 (2019) to $119,476 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,833 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $90,999 – $109,220 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,220 – $123,443 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,443 – $146,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,771 – $162,514 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Richmond
The local job market for physician assistants in Richmond is relatively small, with only 5 PAs actively employed in the area. This small workforce operates against a cost of living index of 89.3, which indicates a lower-than-average living expense that can positively influence take-home pay. Generally, hospital systems employing PAs on a W-2 basis tend to offer more stability and benefits, while those working in specialized surgical settings, such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, command higher salaries due to first-assist case volumes and the RVU productivity model. Factors contributing to salary variation include specialty focus, call coverage requirements, and the differences inherent between public and private practice settings. For those looking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Richmond, pursuing additional certifications in in-demand specialties or seeking roles within higher-paying surgical departments can enhance earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Richmond, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $119,476 for physician assistantsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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