Physician Assistant Salary in Manchester, NH: $143,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Manchester, NH earns a median $143,832/year (≈ $69.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.7), that paycheck buys what $136,131 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the New Hampshire state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Manchester, New Hampshire, physician assistants earn a median annual salary of $143,832, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $140,391. The salary spectrum varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $121,639 and the top 10% reaching up to $171,325. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicates a robust market for PAs in the area, influenced by the choice between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 arrangements in surgical practices. Employers in Manchester often offer varying compensation structures, depending on the setting and specialty, providing opportunities for PAs to strategically position themselves based on their career objectives and lifestyle choices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $121,639 | $58.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,665 | $64.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,832 | $69.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,353 | $79.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,325 | $82.37 |
Median Salary Position
2.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, NH, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,686 (2026 est.). At $143,832, the local median is 2.45% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manchester Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Manchester median: $143,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $150,609 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +2.45% more |
Physician Assistants in Manchester, NH earn a median of $143,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 4.50% below the New Hampshire state average of $150,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 5.66% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, NH has a cost-of-living index of 105.657 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,832 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,131 — a 5.35% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,420
2025 BLS Actual
$139,210
2026 Current Est.
$143,832
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 12.8% from $123,420 (2019) to $139,210 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,187 (20.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $121,639 – $133,665 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,665 – $143,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,832 – $165,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,353 – $171,325 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Manchester
The local job market consists of approximately 260 physician assistants, reflecting solid demand across various healthcare sectors. Considering Manchester's cost of living index of 105.657, which is slightly above the national average, adjustments to salary become critical for maintaining purchasing power. While hospital systems generally offer more stability and benefits, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic fields, tend to provide the highest physician assistant pay in Manchester, NH. Factors that impact salary differences include specialty type, call coverage, and productivity bonuses linked to case volume. To maximize income, PAs might consider pursuing surgical specialties or hospital roles that emphasize RVU-based compensation while remaining mindful of the implications of private practice contracts.
More salary data for Manchester, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Manchester, NH in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 $139,210 for physician assistantsin the Manchester 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