Physician Assistant Salary in Reading, PA: $134,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Reading, PA earns a median $134,481/year (≈ $64.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Reading, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $134,481, reflecting a competitive earning potential within the region. The salary range spans from $107,690 at the 10th percentile to $164,062 at the 90th percentile. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, underscoring the strong demand for PAs in the area. With the prevalence of first-assist billing in surgical settings, particularly in specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, these roles tend to command higher compensation compared to more general practices. This salary outlook places Reading slightly below the national median of $140,391, highlighting that while physician assistant pay in Reading, PA, is robust, it can be influenced by various local factors within the healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,532 | $59.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,481 | $64.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,905 | $74.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,062 | $78.87 |
Median Salary Position
4.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,372 (2026 est.). At $134,481, the local median is 4.21% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Reading median: $134,481/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $129,934 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.21% less |
Physician Assistants in Reading, PA earn a median of $134,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $129,934.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $134,481 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,555 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,600
2025 BLS Actual
$130,160
2026 Current Est.
$134,481
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,946 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 26.9% from $102,600 (2019) to $130,160 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,946 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,346 (35.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $107,690 – $124,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,532 – $134,481 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,481 – $153,905 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,905 – $164,062 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Reading
The job market for physician assistants in Reading remains strong, with 190 professionals currently employed in the field. The cost of living index in the area is relatively low at 97.06, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for PAs. Among the employers offering the highest pay, surgical specialty practices such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic have a significant edge, often providing lucrative first-assist opportunities. On the other hand, roles in primary care and urgent care typically offer lower salaries. The variance in pay can be attributed to numerous factors, including the type of specialty, call coverage demands, volume of cases, and differences between hospital employment and private practice structures. For those looking to maximize their physician assistant salary in Reading, pursuing specialized training and seeking positions in surgical settings may prove advantageous, as well as engaging in RVU productivity bonus opportunities that can supplement base income.
More salary data for Reading, 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 $130,160 for physician assistantsin the Reading 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