Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Marana, AZ: $190,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Marana, AZ — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $190,034/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Marana's price premium (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $192,928 in average-cost America. The 36% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a senior physician assistant in Marana, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $139,572, with the top earners reaching impressive figures like $190,034. This notable P90 value indicates that the best-performing physician assistants in the area can significantly outpace their peers. The substantial gap between the median and top-tier salaries illustrates the value that experience and specialization bring to the field. Achieving a position among the highest earners often requires not only extensive clinical experience but also targeted expertise in high-demand specialties, paving the way for lucrative compensation packages.
About the Marana Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marana
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Marana earn between $166,124 and $190,034 per year (2026 est.). This $89,035 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Marana median of $139,572 sits 0.58% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Marana | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $139,572 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,124 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $190,034 | $196,597 |
In Marana, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 36.15% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Marana
Advanced Certifications in Arizona
AZ physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $139,572 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Marana employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Marana command premium compensation, often reaching the $166,124–$190,034 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Marana metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Marana with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Arizona who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Marana
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMarana ranks #16 of 33 Arizona cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $190,034).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Marana ($190,034) is 3.02% above the Arizona average P90 ($184,462).
2019 BLS Actual
$151,875
2025 BLS Actual
$183,928
2026 Current Est.
$190,034
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Marana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,875 | Actual |
| 2020 | $157,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,125 | Actual |
| 2022 | $162,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $165,089 | Actual |
| 2024 | $168,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $183,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $190,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $196,344 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Marana saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $151,875 in 2019 to $183,928 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $196,344 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marana 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Marana
Within Marana, several specialized fields offer higher salary potential for experienced providers, particularly surgical physician assistants in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, as well as those in emergency medicine and critical care. Differences in compensation are also prevalent based on employer types; for example, senior physician assistants working in hospital systems typically enjoy stable salaries and benefits, while those in surgical specialty practices may have opportunities for performance bonuses tied to patient volume and revenue generation. Paths for advancement include leadership roles such as lead PA or surgical first assist coordinator, with further potential in academia or professional organizations. Advanced credentials, including a Master’s degree from an accredited program and national certification (PA-C), significantly enhance earning capability in the competitive AZ market, where factors like first-assist case volume and call coverage can also influence total compensation, characterizing the dynamic nature of senior physician assistant pay in Marana.
More salary data for Marana, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Marana in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Marana?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Marana?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Marana?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Marana?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $183,928 for physician assistants in the Marana metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marana 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