Physician Assistant Salary in Gaithersburg, MD: $154,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Gaithersburg, MD earns a median $154,569/year (≈ $74.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Gaithersburg's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $141,417 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gaithersburg, Maryland, physician assistants earn a median annual salary of $154,569, reflecting a robust demand in this growing healthcare market. Their salaries range from $111,753 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $210,132 for the top earners (90th percentile), demonstrating significant variation based on experience and specialty. These local compensation figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjust for regional living costs. With various employment structures available, including traditional W-2 positions in hospital settings and 1099 roles in surgical practices, many PAs in Gaithersburg enjoy favorable salary conditions compared to the national median of $140,391, providing a competitive edge in attracting talent.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,753 | $53.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,137 | $64.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,569 | $74.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,283 | $90.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,132 | $101.03 |
Median Salary Position
10.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gaithersburg
In Gaithersburg, MD, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,379 (2026 est.). At $154,569, the local median is 10.1% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gaithersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gaithersburg Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Gaithersburg median: $154,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gaithersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $153,494 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +10.10% more |
Physician Assistants in Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $154,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $153,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gaithersburg has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gaithersburg, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $154,569 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $141,417 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,597
2025 BLS Actual
$149,602
2026 Current Est.
$154,569
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,597 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,043 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,803 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gaithersburg metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $123,597 (2019) to $149,602 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,103 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gaithersburg 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) | $111,753 – $135,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,137 – $154,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,569 – $187,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,283 – $210,132 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Gaithersburg
The local job market for physician assistants shows promise, with 14 practitioners currently employed in Gaithersburg. While the area's cost-of-living index stands at 109.3, indicating expenses are slightly above the national average, it plays a crucial role in determining take-home pay and purchasing power. Surgical specialty practices tend to offer the highest wages, particularly in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where the case volume and first-assist opportunities further drive compensation. In contrast, PAs in emergency departments and primary care settings may earn lower salaries due to differences in call coverage and productivity models. To maximize pay in Gaithersburg, PAs should explore positions that include RVU productivity bonuses, negotiate contracts thoughtfully, and consider the benefits of hospital employment versus private practice arrangements.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Gaithersburg?
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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 $149,602 for physician assistantsin the Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg 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