Physician Assistant Salary in Utica, NY: $144,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Utica, NY earns a median $144,958/year (≈ $69.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $156,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Utica, NY, can expect a robust professional landscape, highlighted by a projected median annual salary of $144,958 for 2026. This figure is slightly above the national median of $140,391, showcasing competitive compensation within the region. The salary range is significant, stretching from $111,834 at the 10th percentile to $178,113 at the 90th percentile. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the strong demand for PAs, particularly in surgical settings where first-assist billing is prevalent. As surgical procedures often require specialized assistance, PAs operating in this capacity can command higher wages, further enhancing their earning potential in Utica’s healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,834 | $53.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,030 | $62.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,958 | $69.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,133 | $76.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,113 | $85.63 |
Median Salary Position
3.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,279 (2026 est.). At $144,958, the local median is 3.25% above the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be above the median
How Utica Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Utica median: $144,958/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $142,395 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +3.25% more |
Physician Assistants in Utica, NY earn a median of $144,958 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.25% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% above the New York state average of $142,395.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $144,958 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,630
2025 BLS Actual
$140,300
2026 Current Est.
$144,958
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,958 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.3% from $115,630 (2019) to $140,300 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,141 (29.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $111,834 – $131,030 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,030 – $144,958 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,958 – $159,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,133 – $178,113 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Utica
Examining the local job market, there are currently 120 physician assistants employed in the area, which indicates a steady demand for this profession. The cost of living in Utica, with a cost of living index of 92.678, suggests that PAs will find their salaries stretch further compared to regions with a higher index. High-paying opportunities typically reside within hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where the emphasis on case volume and first-assist roles drives compensation. The variation in pay between specialties is notable; surgical PAs often receive more than those in primary care. To maximize pay in the Utica market, pursuing roles in surgical settings, negotiating productivity bonuses linked to RVU metrics, and considering employment through hospital systems over independent practice structures could be effective strategies for physician assistants seeking to enhance their earnings.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
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 $140,300 for physician assistantsin the Utica 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