Physician Assistant Salary in Maryland: $144,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $144,276/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $132,000 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($150,578), Gaithersburg ($149,602), Germantown ($149,496).
The projected average median salary for physician assistants (PAs) in Maryland is $144,275 in 2026, which is 2.8% higher than the national median of $140,391. The salary landscape varies across the state, with Aspen Hill offering the highest compensation at $155,577 compared to Lexington Park's lowest at $141,404, resulting in a notable salary gap of $14,173. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as regional demand for healthcare services, the cost of living, and local competition for skilled professionals. Maryland's licensing requirements for PAs include graduation from an accredited program and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). The state's scope of practice laws allow PAs a significant degree of autonomy, which enhances their role in various healthcare settings. Demand drivers include population growth, an aging demographic requiring more healthcare services, and an ongoing emphasis on team-based care. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, the job market for PAs in Maryland is set to expand, supported by both legislative support for healthcare access and ongoing advancements in medical technology. Overall, the healthcare landscape in Maryland presents solid opportunities for physician assistants seeking to advance their careers.
Maryland Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $91,738 (lowest entry-level) to $216,167 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland physician assistants earn 2.77% more than the national median (+$3,885/year difference).
Maryland Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Maryland range from $112,951 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $182,362 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $144,276. The Maryland median is $3,885 above the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $69.37/hr. Approximately 2,213 physician assistants are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,326
2025 BLS Actual
$139,639
2026 Current Est.
$144,276
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,326 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,369 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,536 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,267 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,875 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,639 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,065 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 30.1% from $107,326 (2019) to $139,639 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,065 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,739 (38.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $141,404 |
| Hagerstown | $141,776 |
| Cumberland | $142,031 |
| Towson | $142,841 |
| Baltimore | $143,398 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | $147,314 | 95.617 | $154,067 |
| Hagerstown | $141,776 | 94.171 | $150,552 |
| Aspen Hill | $155,577 | 109.3 | $142,339 |
| Gaithersburg | $154,569 | 109.3 | $141,417 |
| Germantown | $154,459 | 109.3 | $141,317 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $112,951 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $144,276 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $182,362 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $155,577 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $154,569 |
| 3 | Germantown | $154,459 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $154,107 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $153,949 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $153,426 |
| 7 | Bowie | $152,698 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $152,223 |
| 9 | Frederick | $150,121 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $150,089 |
| 11 | Severn | $150,085 |
| 12 | College Park | $149,791 |
| 13 | Rockville | $149,598 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $149,525 |
| 15 | Potomac | $148,815 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $148,213 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $148,213 |
| 18 | Odenton | $147,707 |
| 19 | Salisbury | $147,314 |
| 20 | Catonsville | $146,505 |
| 21 | Columbia | $145,985 |
| 22 | Laurel | $145,766 |
| 23 | Greenbelt | $145,285 |
| 24 | Baltimore | $143,398 |
| 25 | Towson | $142,841 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $142,031 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $141,776 |
| 28 | Lexington Park | $141,404 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Maryland?
How does Maryland physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Maryland?
How many physician assistants are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for physician assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physician assistant compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physician assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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