Physician Assistant Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $132,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $132,787/year (≈ $63.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $139,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Cincinnati's physician assistants can expect a median annual salary of $132,787 in 2026, reflecting the influence of the first-assist billing model in surgical settings which contributes significantly to compensation in this role. Salaries in the area span from $70,568 at the lower end to $185,067 for those at the top tier, illustrating a substantial range linked to experience and specialty. This information is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, backed by the robust local healthcare market that supports nearly 920 physician assistants in various settings. Such salary dynamics place Cincinnati slightly below the national median of $140,391, indicating a competitive but nuanced salary environment impacted by local demand and payer regulations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,568 | $33.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,915 | $48.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,787 | $63.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,548 | $72.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,067 | $88.97 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,499 (2026 est.). At $132,787, the local median is 5.42% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be above the median
How Cincinnati Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $132,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,391 | -5.42% less |
Physician Assistants in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $132,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $140,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $132,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.86% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$110,580
2025 BLS Actual
$128,520
2026 Current Est.
$132,787
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,195 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 16.2% from $110,580 (2019) to $128,520 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,195 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,615 (24.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $70,568 – $101,915 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,915 – $132,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,787 – $150,548 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,548 – $185,067 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Cincinnati
The local job market for physician assistants in Cincinnati, OH, is bolstered by a favorable cost-of-living index of 95.37, allowing for enhanced purchasing power despite salaries that trail the national average. The healthcare landscape features several lucrative employment options, with surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, typically offering the highest compensation. Factors such as case volume, the structure of employment (hospital W-2 versus private practice 1099), and eligibility for RVU productivity bonuses significantly affect pay disparities. For a physician assistant seeking to maximize their earnings, strategic moves could include pursuing advanced certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and aligning with employers who prioritize first-assist roles, leveraging the increased value they bring to surgical teams.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Cincinnati?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Cincinnati?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Cincinnati?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $128,520 for physician assistantsin the Cincinnati 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