Physician Assistant Salary in Kirkland, WA: $158,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Kirkland, WA earns a median $158,811/year (≈ $76.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Kirkland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $147,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation landscape for physician assistants in Kirkland, WA, reflects the strong influence of the first-assist billing model, particularly in surgical roles. With a projected median annual salary of $158,811, the earnings significantly exceed the national median of $140,391, illustrating a 13.12% premium for local PAs. Salaries range from $111,913 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $218,161 at the 90th percentile. These figures are drawn from the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost dynamics. Given the specialty of many positions, particularly in areas like orthopedics, Kirkland's job market remains competitive, providing ample opportunities for PAs to leverage their skills and training effectively.
About the Kirkland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,913 | $53.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $136,788 | $65.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,811 | $76.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,182 | $91.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,161 | $104.88 |
Median Salary Position
13.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkland
In Kirkland, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,248 (2026 est.). At $158,811, the local median is 13.12% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkland Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Kirkland median: $158,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,289 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +13.12% more |
Physician Assistants in Kirkland, WA earn a median of $158,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.12% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $159,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,811 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,869 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,989
2025 BLS Actual
$153,708
2026 Current Est.
$158,811
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,989 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,079 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkland metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $126,989 (2019) to $153,708 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,095 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkland 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) | $111,913 – $136,788 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $136,788 – $158,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,811 – $190,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,182 – $218,161 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Kirkland
The local employment scene consists of 13 physician assistants, which means opportunities may be somewhat limited compared to larger urban areas. However, Kirkland's cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries may be higher than national averages, they need to stretch further for daily life expenses. Employers in the region such as surgical specialty practices and hospital systems tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those in surgical roles or those involved in first-assist cases. Variability in physician assistant pay in Kirkland is heavily influenced by specialty focus, case volume, and the structural differences between employment types, such as hospital W-2 positions versus independent 1099 arrangements. To maximize earnings, emerging PAs should consider gaining experience in high-demand specialties and remain informed about the prevalent RVU productivity bonuses and call coverage requirements in the area.
More salary data for Kirkland, WA:
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 $153,708 for physician assistantsin the Kirkland 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
Salary data for Kirkland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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