Physician Assistant Salary in Virginia: $132,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $132,084/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $127,988 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($146,949), Roanoke ($135,940), Charlottesville ($133,540).
In 2026, physician assistants in Virginia are projected to earn an average median salary of $132,083, which is 5.9% lower than the national median of $140,391. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Alexandria leading at $151,828 and Falls Church at the lower end with $120,447. This $31,381 gap can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare providers, and specific healthcare facility needs. Virginia has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, allowing physician assistants to perform a variety of healthcare services under physician supervision. The demand for physician assistants continues to grow, driven by an aging population and a broader focus on accessible healthcare services, contributing to a positive job market outlook with an annual growth rate of 3.32%. The top cities for employment and salaries are Alexandria, Roanoke at $140,453, Charlottesville at $137,974, Staunton at $132,849, and Norfolk at $132,576. Aspiring physician assistants should consider these geographic differences and the factors influencing demand when evaluating their career options in Virginia.
Virginia Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $65,660 (lowest entry-level) to $217,992 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia physician assistants earn 5.92% less than the national median ($-8,307/year difference).
Virginia Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Virginia range from $98,577 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $178,659 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,084. The Virginia median is $8,307 below the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $63.50/hr. Approximately 2,740 physician assistants are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$101,148
2025 BLS Actual
$127,839
2026 Current Est.
$132,084
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,148 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,194 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,469 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 26.4% from $101,148 (2019) to $127,839 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,469 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,321 (34.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $120,447 |
| Herndon | $122,363 |
| Williamsburg | $123,699 |
| Annandale | $123,936 |
| Waynesboro | $124,101 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | $140,453 | 93.618 | $150,028 |
| Alexandria | $151,828 | 103.2 | $147,120 |
| Staunton | $132,849 | 91.128 | $145,783 |
| Lynchburg | $126,877 | 89.363 | $141,979 |
| Blacksburg | $129,202 | 92.71 | $139,361 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $98,577 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,084 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $178,659 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $151,828 |
| 2 | Roanoke | $140,453 |
| 3 | Charlottesville | $137,974 |
| 4 | Staunton | $132,849 |
| 5 | Norfolk | $132,576 |
| 6 | Newport News | $131,643 |
| 7 | Radford | $131,460 |
| 8 | Chesapeake | $131,135 |
| 9 | Richmond | $131,020 |
| 10 | Virginia Beach | $130,627 |
| 11 | Harrisonburg | $130,596 |
| 12 | Hampton | $130,483 |
| 13 | Winchester | $130,266 |
| 14 | Centreville | $129,874 |
| 15 | Blacksburg | $129,202 |
| 16 | Burke | $128,994 |
| 17 | Suffolk | $128,437 |
| 18 | Tuckahoe | $128,072 |
| 19 | Ashburn | $127,888 |
| 20 | McLean | $127,879 |
| 21 | Reston | $127,744 |
| 22 | Danville | $127,717 |
| 23 | Fredericksburg | $127,169 |
| 24 | Dale City | $127,144 |
| 25 | Manassas | $127,008 |
| 26 | Lynchburg | $126,877 |
| 27 | Salem | $126,653 |
| 28 | Leesburg | $126,471 |
| 29 | Portsmouth | $126,399 |
| 30 | Mechanicsville | $126,197 |
| 31 | Springfield | $125,751 |
| 32 | Woodbridge | $125,578 |
| 33 | Sterling | $125,335 |
| 34 | Lake Ridge | $125,173 |
| 35 | Linton Hall | $125,031 |
| 36 | Fairfax | $124,710 |
| 37 | Bristol | $124,182 |
| 38 | Waynesboro | $124,101 |
| 39 | Annandale | $123,936 |
| 40 | Williamsburg | $123,699 |
| 41 | Herndon | $122,363 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $120,447 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Virginia 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 Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Virginia?
How does Virginia physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Virginia?
How many physician assistants are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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, 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