Physician Assistant Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $134,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $134,564/year (≈ $64.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $133,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, the physician assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $134,564 in 2026, which is lower than the national median of $140,391. This salary reflects the unique dynamics of the local healthcare market, particularly influenced by the first-assist billing model in surgical settings. Within a range from $85,518 at the 10th percentile to $176,997 at the 90th percentile, this compensation structure indicates a robust earning potential, particularly for PAs involved in surgical specialties. The numbers stem from data compiled by BLS, illustrating how locally practiced specialties significantly impact the breadth of compensation across the board.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,518 | $41.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,355 | $64.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,564 | $64.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,123 | $76.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,997 | $85.09 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,479 (2026 est.). At $134,564, the local median is 4.15% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be above the median
How Salt Lake City Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $134,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $139,012 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.15% less |
Physician Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $134,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.20% below the Utah state average of $139,012.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,564 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,406 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,900
2025 BLS Actual
$130,240
2026 Current Est.
$134,564
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 29.1% from $100,900 (2019) to $130,240 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,131 (37.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $85,518 – $133,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,355 – $134,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,564 – $159,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,123 – $176,997 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Salt Lake City
With around 810 physician assistants employed in Salt Lake City, the market shows healthy demand, yet the cost of living index stands at 100.868, indicating slightly above-average living costs. Consequently, while physician assistant pay in Salt Lake City, UT, remains competitive, take-home purchasing power requires careful consideration of expenses. Hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the highest pay, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic fields, where first-assist case volume drives financial benefits. Differences in compensation are often linked to the type of practice, call coverage, and the presence of RVU productivity bonuses. Strategic choices, such as focusing on high-demand specialties or seeking roles in hospital environments rather than private practices, can enhance earnings in the competitive Salt Lake City market. Understanding these nuances will be essential for new graduates or those transitioning to PA roles seeking to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $130,240 for physician assistantsin the Salt Lake City 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