Physician Assistant Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $140,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $140,143/year (≈ $67.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $136,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Philadelphia is projected to be quite competitive, sitting at a median annual figure of $140,143, closely aligning with the national average of $140,391. The salary range for PAs in the city varies significantly, from $107,164 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $175,789 for top earners (P90). Data from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that the Philadelphia medical market, particularly in surgical specialties, offers higher compensation than more generalist roles, reflecting the ongoing demand for PAs who can assist in hospital settings, especially in surgical and specialty practices. This differential places Philadelphia's market in a favorable position for aspiring and existing PAs, with ample opportunities for those willing to specialize.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,164 | $51.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,982 | $61.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,143 | $67.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,264 | $78.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,789 | $84.52 |
Median Salary Position
0.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,625 (2026 est.). At $140,143, the local median is 0.18% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $140,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $129,883 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -0.18% less |
Physician Assistants in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $140,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.18% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 7.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $129,883.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,653 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,510
2025 BLS Actual
$135,640
2026 Current Est.
$140,143
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,796 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 19.5% from $113,510 (2019) to $135,640 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,286 (27.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $107,164 – $127,982 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,982 – $140,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,143 – $162,264 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,264 – $175,789 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Philadelphia
With approximately 3,390 physician assistants currently employed in Philadelphia, discussions surrounding physician assistant pay in Philadelphia PA highlight an active job market. The cost of living index in the region sits at 102.554, which is slightly above the national average, suggesting that while salaries are relatively high, so too are living expenses. Surgical specialties tend to dominate the higher pay brackets, with practices in orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and emergency departments offering the most lucrative positions. Variability in compensation is influenced by factors such as case volume, call coverage, and whether a PA is employed in a hospital system or operates independently as a contractor. For PAs looking to maximize their earnings, specializing in high-demand fields like surgery and focusing on performance metrics can be effective strategies in the Philadelphia market, ensuring that they not only stay competitive but potentially rise to earn salaries at the upper end of the spectrum.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 $135,640 for physician assistantsin the Philadelphia 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