Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Boise, ID: $208,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Boise, ID — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $208,136/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Boise's price premium (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $218,401 in average-cost America. The 44% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physician assistants in Boise, ID, can look forward to lucrative compensation opportunities in the coming years. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to be $144,366, with the potential for top-tier earners to earn as much as $208,136. This substantial top-end salary far surpasses the national average of $140,391, highlighting Boise's competitive market for experienced physician assistants. Achieving such high earnings often requires extensive experience—typically seven years or more—in addition to specialization in high-demand areas. The gap between the median salary and the top earners adds an enticing incentive for senior professionals to further hone their skills while capitalizing on Boise's growing healthcare landscape.
About the Boise Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Boise earn between $177,096 and $208,136 per year (2026 est.). This $111,317 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Boise median of $144,366 sits 2.83% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Boise | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $144,366 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $177,096 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $208,136 | $196,597 |
In Boise, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 44.17% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Boise
Advanced Certifications in Idaho
ID physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $144,366 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Boise employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Boise command premium compensation, often reaching the $177,096–$208,136 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Boise 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 Boise 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 Idaho 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 Boise
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBoise ranks #1 of 16 Idaho cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $208,136).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Boise ($208,136) is 22.79% above the Idaho average P90 ($169,503).
2019 BLS Actual
$166,342
2025 BLS Actual
$201,448
2026 Current Est.
$208,136
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Boise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $166,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $172,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $174,282 | Actual |
| 2022 | $177,987 | Actual |
| 2023 | $180,814 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $201,448 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $208,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $215,046 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Boise saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $166,342 in 2019 to $201,448 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 $215,046 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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 Boise
When examining factors influencing experienced physician assistant pay in ID, a discernible trend toward specialization emerges. Fields such as surgical orthopedics, emergency medicine, and critical care increasingly command higher salaries, reflecting the complexity and required expertise in these areas. Compensation also varies significantly with employer types; those employed in hospital systems or surgical specialty practices tend to earn more compared to those in primary care or urgent care settings. For senior professionals, leadership opportunities such as becoming a hospital chief PA or taking on educational roles within PA programs can also enhance earning potential. Moreover, advanced credentials including a master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited institution and NCCPA certification can further elevate a PA's marketability and salary. Non-salary factors, like call coverage and RVU productivity bonuses, also play a critical role in total compensation, thereby making strategic career moves essential for those seeking to maximize their income in Boise's evolving healthcare sector.
More salary data for Boise, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Boise in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Boise?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Boise?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Boise?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Boise?
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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 $201,448 for physician assistants in the Boise 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 Boise 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