Physician Assistant Salary in Austin, MN: $134,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Austin, MN earns a median $134,213/year (≈ $64.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $136,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Austin, Minnesota, is projected to reach a median of $134,213, indicating a slight decrease compared to the national median of $140,391. This local salary reflects a broad range, with the lowest 10% earning about $97,115 and the highest 90% making up to $179,297. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences suggest that Austin’s unique healthcare landscape, with its mix of specialties, plays a vital role in determining earnings. The local job market tends to reward surgical specialties more favorably, as physician assistants in fields such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery can leverage their skills for higher compensation.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,115 | $46.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,401 | $56.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,213 | $64.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,270 | $76.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,297 | $86.20 |
Median Salary Position
4.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,182 (2026 est.). At $134,213, the local median is 4.4% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Austin median: $134,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $141,874 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.40% less |
Physician Assistants in Austin, MN earn a median of $134,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $141,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $134,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,257 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,320
2025 BLS Actual
$129,900
2026 Current Est.
$134,213
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,182 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,298 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $107,320 (2019) to $129,900 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,349 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $97,115 – $117,401 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,401 – $134,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,213 – $158,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,270 – $179,297 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Austin
Though only four physician assistants are currently employed in Austin, the cost of living index of 98.5 suggests that the income potential is slightly more favorable for many in comparison to national averages. With lower living costs, physician assistant pay in Austin, MN, allows for a relatively comfortable lifestyle even if the base salary appears lower than the national average. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are surgical specialty practices, which often provide financial incentives such as productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings in this market, focus on specialty skills, particularly in surgical PAs, where first-assist roles and case volume significantly influence salary. Additionally, understanding the employment structures—hospital jobs may offer stability, while 1099 locum work can lead to higher pay—can help aspiring physician assistants better navigate their options.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Austin, MN in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Austin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Austin?
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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 $129,900 for physician assistantsin the Austin 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 Austin 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