Physician Assistant Salary in Boston, MA: $147,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Boston, MA earns a median $147,138/year (≈ $70.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $135,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Boston reaches a median of $147,138, reflecting a competitive landscape that surpasses the national median of $140,391 by 4.81%. This figure highlights the diversity of practice environments, with earnings ranging significantly from $67,385 at the lower end to $212,447 at the higher end, as determined by official BLS OEWS surveys. Factors such as working in W-2 hospital settings versus 1099 surgical practices can drive substantial income variations. The Boston job market for physician assistants remains robust, with 3,550 professionals employed across various specialties and facilities, indicating a strong demand for these healthcare providers in the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,385 | $32.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,138 | $70.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,341 | $85.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,447 | $102.14 |
Median Salary Position
4.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,062 (2026 est.). At $147,138, the local median is 4.81% above the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be above the median
How Boston Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Boston median: $147,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $152,475 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +4.81% more |
Physician Assistants in Boston, MA earn a median of $147,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.81% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 3.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $152,475.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $147,138 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,904 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,520
2025 BLS Actual
$142,410
2026 Current Est.
$147,138
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 26.6% from $112,520 (2019) to $142,410 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,503 (35.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $67,385 – $132,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,270 – $147,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,138 – $178,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,341 – $212,447 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Boston
As the cost of living in Boston, with a CoL index of 108.266, influences take-home pay, aspiring physician assistants should be strategic in selecting their employers to maximize compensation. Hospital systems typically provide stable salaries, benefits, and opportunities for advancement, while surgical specialty practices, particularly in areas like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer higher pay structures due to case volume and first-assist responsibilities. The differences in compensation can also stem from factors such as call coverage and RVU productivity bonuses. To achieve the best financial outcomes, new graduates should consider pursuing roles in high-demand specialties and locations, engaging with professional associations, and negotiating effectively, keeping the overall economic landscape of Boston and the specific nuances of healthcare employment in mind.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $142,410 for physician assistantsin the Boston 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, 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