Physician Assistant Salary in Lacey, WA: $157,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Lacey, WA earns a median $157,747/year (≈ $75.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $146,878 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lacey, Washington, physician assistants (PAs) are projected to earn a median annual salary of $157,747 in 2026, outperforming the national median of $140,391 by 12.36%. The salary range for this role spans from $120,027 at the lower end (P10) to $227,881 at the high end (P90), reflecting the variety of practice settings and specialties available in the area. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, demonstrate the competitive compensation environment for PAs. The choice between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 surgical practice significantly influences income potential, with surgical roles typically associated with higher earnings, particularly in specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. Given this context, Lacey's job market offers robust opportunities for those pursuing a career in this demanding field.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,027 | $57.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,520 | $68.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,747 | $75.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,152 | $89.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,881 | $109.56 |
Median Salary Position
12.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,854 (2026 est.). At $157,747, the local median is 12.36% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Lacey median: $157,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,340 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +12.36% more |
Physician Assistants in Lacey, WA earn a median of $157,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.36% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.00% below the Washington state average of $159,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $157,747 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,878 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,138
2025 BLS Actual
$152,678
2026 Current Est.
$157,747
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,138 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,655 | Actual |
| 2021 | $136,554 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,094 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,984 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $126,138 (2019) to $152,678 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,984 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,846 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $120,027 – $142,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,520 – $157,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,747 – $186,152 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,152 – $227,881 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Lacey
The Lacey job market currently employs 12 physician assistants, illustrating a niche but stable demand for their services amidst a cost-of-living index of 107.4, slightly above the national average. This indicates that the purchasing power of PAs may be constrained relative to their salaries, making location and employment type critical for maximizing take-home pay. Among the varied employers in the region, W-2 positions within large hospital systems and surgical specialty practices generally offer higher salaries compared to urgent care chains and primary care offices. Factors such as specialty area, case volume, and practice structures—whether salary-based or production-driven (like RVU bonuses)—play crucial roles in determining compensation. To optimize salary potential in Lacey, PAs should consider targeting surgical specialties or seeking opportunities with hospitals that provide comprehensive benefits packages while navigating local market trends effectively.
More salary data for Lacey, 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 $152,678 for physician assistantsin the Lacey 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 Lacey 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