Physician Assistant Salary in Rockville, MD: $149,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Rockville, MD earns a median $149,598/year (≈ $71.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $136,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physician assistant in Rockville, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $149,598, which reflects a competitive edge over the national average of $140,391 by approximately 6.56%. Salary ranges vary significantly, with figures starting at $112,295 at the 10th percentile and reaching as high as $208,544 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs in Rockville, illustrate how the local market values the PA profession. Specialty focus plays a crucial role, with PAs in surgical disciplines typically earning higher figures than their counterparts in primary care, positioning Rockville as an attractive location for aspiring PAs drawn to high-skill work in specialized settings.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,295 | $53.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,619 | $62.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,598 | $71.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,088 | $87.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,544 | $100.26 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,249 (2026 est.). At $149,598, the local median is 6.56% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Rockville median: $149,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $153,434 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +6.56% more |
Physician Assistants in Rockville, MD earn a median of $149,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $153,434.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $149,598 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,869 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,622
2025 BLS Actual
$144,791
2026 Current Est.
$149,598
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,274 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,547 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,656 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,791 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $119,622 (2019) to $144,791 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,943 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville 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) | $112,295 – $130,619 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,619 – $149,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,598 – $181,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,088 – $208,544 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Rockville
The job market for physician assistants in Rockville is modest, with approximately 15 PAs currently employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index stands at 109.3, indicating that while compensation is strong, purchasing power may be affected by higher living expenses. Primary employers contributing to physician assistant pay in Rockville include hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in areas like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where higher first-assist case volumes result in better compensation. Factors driving the salary variance include specialty focus and the nature of employment—positions in emergency departments and urgent care tend to offer higher pay compared to primary care roles. For PAs seeking to optimize earnings, targeting facilities that offer RVU productivity bonuses or negotiating for call coverage can enhance overall compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for Rockville, MD:
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 $144,791 for physician assistantsin the Rockville 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 Rockville 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