Physician Assistant Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $148,581 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Dartmouth, MA earns a median $148,581/year (≈ $71.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Dartmouth's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $136,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dartmouth, Massachusetts, offers a compelling median annual physician assistant salary of $148,581 in 2026, showcasing a notable 5.83% increase compared to the national median of $140,391. This local compensation reflects the state-level adjustments and pricing factors that affect healthcare roles within the region. With salaries ranging from $107,491 at the lower end to $206,517 for the top earners, the financial outlook for physician assistants here is robust, particularly for those in surgical settings due to the first-assist billing model. This compensation framework rewards PAs who participate in high-demand specialties, especially in surgical and procedural roles, making Dartmouth an attractive market for those seeking competitive remuneration.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,491 | $51.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,492 | $62.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,581 | $71.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,553 | $86.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,517 | $99.29 |
Median Salary Position
5.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth
In Dartmouth, MA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,026 (2026 est.). At $148,581, the local median is 5.83% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dartmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dartmouth Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Dartmouth median: $148,581/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dartmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $152,548 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +5.83% more |
Physician Assistants in Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $148,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.83% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $152,548.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dartmouth has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dartmouth, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,581 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,941 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,809
2025 BLS Actual
$143,807
2026 Current Est.
$148,581
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Dartmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,122 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,361 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,848 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,807 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,581 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,514 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dartmouth metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $118,809 (2019) to $143,807 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,514 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,705 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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) | $107,491 – $129,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,492 – $148,581 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,581 – $180,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,553 – $206,517 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Dartmouth
Evaluating the local job market reveals that only five physician assistants are employed in Dartmouth, indicating a niche but potentially lucrative environment. The cost of living index stands at 108.5, slightly above the national average, which suggests that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may vary. Employers such as hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the highest compensation, as PAs in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery benefit from additional reimbursement structures tied to first-assist procedures. Variability in pay also stems from factors like the volume of surgical cases handled, associated call coverage, and the incentives found within hospital employment versus private practice arrangements. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Dartmouth, targeting surgical specialties and seeking positions that optimize RVU productivity could be highly advantageous.
More salary data for Dartmouth, 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 $143,807 for physician assistantsin the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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