Physician Assistant Salary in Portage, MI: $128,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Portage, MI earns a median $128,510/year (≈ $61.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Portage's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $137,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Portage, MI, can expect a median annual salary of $128,510 in 2026, reflecting a strategic choice between employment models in the healthcare sector. With an income range extending from $97,380 at the 10th percentile to $175,888 at the 90th percentile, PAs here are navigating a compensation structure influenced by their work setting. Estimates from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, take into account the regional cost of living and market demands, particularly the differences in earnings between those employed in hospital systems versus those in surgical practices. This positions Portage's physician assistant salary below the national median of $140,391, illustrating the local realities of the job market.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,380 | $46.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,257 | $55.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,510 | $61.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,499 | $74.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,888 | $84.56 |
Median Salary Position
8.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,508 (2026 est.). At $128,510, the local median is 8.46% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Portage median: $128,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $134,990 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.46% less |
Physician Assistants in Portage, MI earn a median of $128,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.46% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.80% below the Michigan state average of $134,990.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portage, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $128,510 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,886 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,760
2025 BLS Actual
$124,381
2026 Current Est.
$128,510
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,625 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,245 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,346 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,381 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $102,760 (2019) to $124,381 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,017 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $97,380 – $115,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,257 – $128,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,510 – $154,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,499 – $175,888 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Portage
In Portage, the local job market has a relatively modest number of employed physician assistants, with only seven currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index of 93.2 indicates that overall living expenses are below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the various employers, surgical specialty practices, especially in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest salaries, due to the lucrative nature of first-assist procedures and potential productivity bonuses. The pay disparity often results from factors including the complexity of specialty care, the volume of cases handled, and whether PAs work in a hospital setting with a W-2 structure or in private practice as independent contractors. Those seeking to maximize their earnings in Portage should consider diversifying their skill set, exploring higher-paying specialties, and engaging with established networks for job advancements and opportunities.
More salary data for Portage, MI:
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 $124,381 for physician assistantsin the Portage 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 Portage 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