Physician Assistant Salary in Wisconsin: $138,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $138,035/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $147,789 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($136,742), Fond du Lac ($136,700), Beloit ($136,140).
The physician assistant salary landscape in Wisconsin has specific characteristics that are important for prospective candidates to consider. The average median salary for physician assistants in the state is projected to be $138,034 in 2026, which is 1.7% lower than the national median of $140,391. The highest paying city is Waukesha, with an average salary of $141,282, while Wisconsin Rapids offers the lowest salary at $127,248, creating a notable gap of $14,034. This difference is influenced by local cost of living, demand for healthcare, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. Wisconsin's licensing requirements for physician assistants are governed by state law, and the scope of practice laws allow for a significant level of autonomy, which enhances the role's appeal. With a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.32%, the demand for physician assistants in the state is expected to grow as healthcare needs increase, driven by an aging population and expanded access to services. The state currently employs 2,977 physician assistants, suggesting a solid job market for those entering or already in the field. Key cities such as Fond du Lac, Beloit, Janesville, and Kenosha also present competitive salary opportunities, reflecting regional variations and local healthcare needs.
Wisconsin Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $59,905 (lowest entry-level) to $192,427 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin physician assistants earn 1.68% less than the national median ($-2,356/year difference).
Wisconsin Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Wisconsin range from $98,099 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $173,203 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $138,035. The Wisconsin median is $2,356 below the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $66.36/hr. Approximately 2,977 physician assistants are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$116,708
2025 BLS Actual
$133,599
2026 Current Est.
$138,035
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,015 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,998 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,544 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 14.5% from $116,708 (2019) to $133,599 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,909 (22.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $127,248 |
| Middleton | $128,313 |
| Platteville | $129,690 |
| Mequon | $129,701 |
| River Falls | $130,776 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fond du Lac | $141,238 | 91.643 | $154,118 |
| Waukesha | $141,282 | 93.4 | $151,266 |
| Oshkosh | $140,298 | 92.929 | $150,973 |
| Beloit | $140,660 | 93.4 | $150,600 |
| Janesville | $140,340 | 93.703 | $149,771 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $98,099 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $138,035 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $173,203 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $141,282 |
| 2 | Fond du Lac | $141,238 |
| 3 | Beloit | $140,660 |
| 4 | Janesville | $140,340 |
| 5 | Kenosha | $140,309 |
| 6 | Oshkosh | $140,298 |
| 7 | Milwaukee | $139,523 |
| 8 | West Allis | $138,897 |
| 9 | Sheboygan | $138,821 |
| 10 | Racine | $138,748 |
| 11 | Mount Pleasant | $138,543 |
| 12 | Madison | $138,397 |
| 13 | Fitchburg | $137,976 |
| 14 | Greenfield | $137,965 |
| 15 | Menomonee Falls | $136,770 |
| 16 | Brookfield | $136,446 |
| 17 | West Bend | $136,371 |
| 18 | De Pere | $136,264 |
| 19 | Green Bay | $136,093 |
| 20 | New Berlin | $136,005 |
| 21 | Sun Prairie | $134,852 |
| 22 | Caledonia | $134,486 |
| 23 | Eau Claire | $134,409 |
| 24 | Wausau | $134,295 |
| 25 | Muskego | $134,196 |
| 26 | La Crosse | $134,149 |
| 27 | Stevens Point | $133,571 |
| 28 | Franklin | $133,420 |
| 29 | Oak Creek | $133,000 |
| 30 | Superior | $132,795 |
| 31 | Manitowoc | $132,731 |
| 32 | Appleton | $132,529 |
| 33 | Pewaukee | $132,237 |
| 34 | Onalaska | $132,205 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $131,851 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $131,830 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $131,694 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $131,683 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $131,568 |
| 40 | Germantown | $131,475 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $131,423 |
| 42 | River Falls | $130,776 |
| 43 | Mequon | $129,701 |
| 44 | Platteville | $129,690 |
| 45 | Middleton | $128,313 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $127,248 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Compare Cities in Wisconsin
View all comparisons →Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Wisconsin?
How many physician assistants are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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