Physician Assistant Salary in Pullman, WA: $152,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Pullman, WA earns a median $152,931/year (≈ $73.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Pullman's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $142,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $152,931 in 2026, physician assistants in Pullman, WA, experience competitive compensation relative to their national counterparts. The salary range extends from $119,517 at the 10th percentile to $213,963 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability driven largely by specialty and employment setting. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that surgical PAs, particularly those involved in first-assist billing in specialties like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, typically command the highest wages in the area. Given the expanding healthcare services in Pullman, job prospects for physician assistants remain strong, particularly as the demand for specialized surgical support continues to grow.
About the Pullman Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,517 | $57.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,842 | $67.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,931 | $73.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,229 | $89.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,963 | $102.87 |
Median Salary Position
8.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pullman
In Pullman, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,446 (2026 est.). At $152,931, the local median is 8.93% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pullman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pullman Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Pullman median: $152,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pullman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,303 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +8.93% more |
Physician Assistants in Pullman, WA earn a median of $152,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.93% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 4.00% below the Washington state average of $159,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pullman has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pullman, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,931 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,394 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,287
2025 BLS Actual
$148,017
2026 Current Est.
$152,931
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pullman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,287 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,697 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,265 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,634 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,303 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pullman metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $122,287 (2019) to $148,017 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,721 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pullman 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) | $119,517 – $139,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,842 – $152,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,931 – $186,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,229 – $213,963 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Pullman
In Pullman, only six physician assistants are currently employed, creating a small yet focused job market. The local cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they must also stretch further amid higher living expenses than the national average. Employers such as hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer higher pay compared to primary care offices and urgent care chains, with additional compensation driven by factors such as RVU productivity bonuses and call coverage. The substantial pay range is influenced by various elements, including case volume in surgical settings and the structure of employment—hospital W-2s often offer more stability, while 1099 contract work can lead to higher paychecks but less predictability. To maximize earnings, physician assistants should consider specializing in areas with higher demand and actively negotiate compensation packages that reflect their skills and the current healthcare landscape in Pullman.
More salary data for Pullman, 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 $148,017 for physician assistantsin the Pullman 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 Pullman 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