Physician Assistant Salary in Rhode Island: $143,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $143,803/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $143,088 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($142,768), Providence ($139,930), Pawtucket ($136,410).
In 2026, the average median salary for physician assistants in Rhode Island is projected to be $143,804, which is 2.4% higher than the national median of $140,391. The highest-paying city in the state is Warwick, with an average salary of $147,508, while Central Falls offers the lowest at $130,181, reflecting a salary gap of $17,327. This difference can be attributed to variations in cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in each area. Rhode Island's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws influence physician assistants’ responsibilities and, ultimately, their earnings. The demand for physician assistants is driven by an aging population and a growing emphasis on preventive care, contributing to an annual growth rate of 3.32% in the job market. Other cities with strong salary forecasts include Providence at $144,576, Pawtucket at $140,939, East Providence at $139,855, and West Warwick at $139,482. With a total of 1,079 physician assistants employed in the state, the outlook remains positive, driven by both local healthcare initiatives and national trends promoting team-based care in clinical settings.
Rhode Island Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $99,986 (lowest entry-level) to $207,117 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island physician assistants earn 2.43% more than the national median (+$3,412/year difference).
Rhode Island Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Rhode Island range from $100,588 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $192,968 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $143,803. The Rhode Island median is $3,412 above the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $69.13/hr. Approximately 1,079 physician assistants are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$114,989
2025 BLS Actual
$139,183
2026 Current Est.
$143,803
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,989 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,578 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $114,989 (2019) to $139,183 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,578 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,589 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $130,181 |
| Westerly | $131,763 |
| Bristol | $133,566 |
| South Kingstown | $133,932 |
| Cumberland | $134,282 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $147,508 | 100.5 | $146,774 |
| Providence | $144,576 | 101.773 | $142,057 |
| Pawtucket | $140,939 | 100.5 | $140,238 |
| East Providence | $139,855 | 100.5 | $139,159 |
| West Warwick | $139,482 | 100.5 | $138,788 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $100,588 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $143,803 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $192,968 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $147,508 |
| 2 | Providence | $144,576 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $140,939 |
| 4 | East Providence | $139,855 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $139,482 |
| 6 | Coventry | $138,825 |
| 7 | Cranston | $138,011 |
| 8 | Johnston | $136,438 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $136,383 |
| 10 | Newport | $135,640 |
| 11 | North Providence | $135,366 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $135,321 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $134,282 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $133,932 |
| 15 | Bristol | $133,566 |
| 16 | Westerly | $131,763 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $130,181 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Rhode Island?
How many physician assistants are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for physician assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physician assistant compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physician assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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