Physician Assistant Salary in Scranton, PA: $130,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Scranton, PA earns a median $130,421/year (≈ $62.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $139,404 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Scranton, Pennsylvania are projected to earn a median annual salary of $130,421, which is notably lower than the national median of $140,391. The pay range within this market varies significantly, with the lowest earners at $107,391 and the highest at $159,226. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect the demand for PAs across different specialties. Surgical PAs generally experience higher compensation compared to their primary care counterparts due to their first-assist roles and the reimbursement structures associated with surgical billing. This specialization gradient directly influences salary dynamics and highlights the evolving nature of the physician assistant role in Scranton's healthcare system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,391 | $51.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,102 | $53.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,421 | $62.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,869 | $70.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,226 | $76.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,835 (2026 est.). At $130,421, the local median is 7.1% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Scranton median: $130,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $129,901 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -7.10% less |
Physician Assistants in Scranton, PA earn a median of $130,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $129,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $130,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,404 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,740
2025 BLS Actual
$126,230
2026 Current Est.
$130,421
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,751 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 30.5% from $96,740 (2019) to $126,230 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,751 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,011 (39.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $107,391 – $112,102 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,102 – $130,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,421 – $146,869 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,869 – $159,226 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Scranton
The local job market in Scranton employs around 310 physician assistants, indicating a steady demand for these healthcare professionals. Despite the median income being below the national average, the cost of living in Scranton remains attractive, with a cost-of-living index of 93.556. This means that while physician assistant pay in Scranton, PA may not be as high as in other regions, the purchasing power remains viable. Employers such as hospital systems, urgent care chains, and specialty clinics like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery tend to pay the most, especially for roles that encompass higher case volumes and call coverage. To maximize earnings, PAs can seek positions in surgical settings and explore opportunities for RVU productivity bonuses, while considering the benefits and drawbacks of hospital employment versus private practice structures.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 $126,230 for physician assistantsin the Scranton 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