Physician Assistant Salary in Michigan: $135,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Michigan's 53 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $135,846/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Michigan sits at BEA RPP 93.2 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $145,758 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Norton Shores ($135,451), Ann Arbor ($135,310), Clinton Township ($135,076).
In 2026, the average median salary for physician assistants in Michigan is projected to be $135,846, slightly lower than the national median of $140,391, marking a difference of 3.2%. Salaries often vary significantly across different cities. For example, Norton Shores is projected to offer the highest salary at $139,948, while Romulus will have the lowest at $124,823, resulting in a salary gap of $15,125. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. The demand for physician assistants in Michigan is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.32%, driven by an expanding healthcare system and an aging population needing more medical services. Understanding Michigan's state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws is essential as these can influence job opportunities and responsibilities. Currently, there are approximately 6,085 physician assistants employed in the state, reflecting a strong job market. Cities like Ann Arbor, Clinton Township, Traverse City, and Wyoming also show competitive salaries, further illustrating the diverse economic landscape for physician assistants in Michigan.
Michigan Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Michigan: $92,560 (lowest entry-level) to $203,639 (highest top earner)
Michigan vs National Average
Michigan physician assistants earn 3.24% less than the national median ($-4,545/year difference).
Michigan Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Michigan range from $107,691 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $166,628 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,846. The Michigan median is $4,545 below the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $65.31/hr. Approximately 6,085 physician assistants are employed across 53 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$111,549
2025 BLS Actual
$131,481
2026 Current Est.
$135,846
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Michigan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,549 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,724 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,481 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,356 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Michigan metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 17.9% from $111,549 (2019) to $131,481 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,807 (25.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Michigan 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 Michigan
Lowest Paying Cities in Michigan
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Romulus | $124,823 |
| Ypsilanti | $125,544 |
| Mount Pleasant | $125,909 |
| Ferndale | $128,092 |
| Portage | $128,510 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Michigan
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Michigan cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Shores | $139,948 | 93.2 | $150,159 |
| Clinton Township | $139,561 | 93.2 | $149,744 |
| Battle Creek | $135,215 | 90.541 | $149,341 |
| Traverse City | $138,635 | 93.372 | $148,476 |
| Saginaw | $134,595 | 90.891 | $148,084 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $107,691 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,846 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $166,628 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Michigan metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 53 Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norton Shores | $139,948 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $139,802 |
| 3 | Clinton Township | $139,561 |
| 4 | Traverse City | $138,635 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $137,995 |
| 6 | Sterling Heights | $137,805 |
| 7 | Muskegon | $136,620 |
| 8 | West Bloomfield | $136,412 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids | $136,310 |
| 10 | Detroit | $136,207 |
| 11 | Shelby Township | $136,102 |
| 12 | Troy | $135,813 |
| 13 | Dearborn | $135,504 |
| 14 | Westland | $135,461 |
| 15 | Battle Creek | $135,215 |
| 16 | Farmington Hills | $135,173 |
| 17 | Warren | $135,025 |
| 18 | Jackson | $134,977 |
| 19 | Dearborn Heights | $134,873 |
| 20 | Southfield | $134,617 |
| 21 | Saginaw | $134,595 |
| 22 | Macomb Township | $134,327 |
| 23 | St. Clair Shores | $134,178 |
| 24 | Midland | $134,171 |
| 25 | Rochester Hills | $134,103 |
| 26 | Bay City | $133,992 |
| 27 | Kentwood | $133,894 |
| 28 | Taylor | $133,729 |
| 29 | Port Huron | $133,353 |
| 30 | Royal Oak | $133,323 |
| 31 | Lincoln Park | $133,227 |
| 32 | Livonia | $132,959 |
| 33 | Niles | $132,746 |
| 34 | Lansing | $132,487 |
| 35 | Canton | $131,965 |
| 36 | Novi | $131,922 |
| 37 | Kalamazoo | $131,805 |
| 38 | Auburn Hills | $131,792 |
| 39 | Waterford | $131,720 |
| 40 | Roseville | $131,478 |
| 41 | East Lansing | $131,369 |
| 42 | Garden City | $131,217 |
| 43 | Allen Park | $130,430 |
| 44 | Pontiac | $130,340 |
| 45 | Marquette | $130,000 |
| 46 | Inkster | $129,797 |
| 47 | Flint | $129,346 |
| 48 | Holland | $128,985 |
| 49 | Portage | $128,510 |
| 50 | Ferndale | $128,092 |
| 51 | Mount Pleasant | $125,909 |
| 52 | Ypsilanti | $125,544 |
| 53 | Romulus | $124,823 |
More Michigan Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Michigan cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physician assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Compare Cities in Michigan
View all comparisons →Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Michigan in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Michigan?
How does Michigan physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Michigan?
How many physician assistants are employed in Michigan?
Which Michigan 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 Michigan. State averages are employment-weighted across 53 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