Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Evanston, IL: $196,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Evanston, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $196,118/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Evanston's price premium (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $201,975 in average-cost America. The 43% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Evanston, Illinois, experienced physician assistants are positioned to earn competitive salaries, particularly for those at the senior level. With a median annual salary projected at $136,820 for 2026, the pay structure reveals significant upside potential for top earners, who can command salaries as high as $196,118. This represents a substantial advancement from the median, illustrating the experience premium that comes from years spent in the field. Achieving this top-tier pay typically requires a blend of specialized skills, advanced certifications, and a strong professional network, often augmented by securing positions in high-demand settings such as surgical practices or hospital systems where the demand for skilled advanced practitioners continues to rise.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Evanston earn between $168,852 and $196,118 per year (2026 est.). This $100,052 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Evanston median of $136,820 sits 2.54% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Evanston | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $136,820 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,852 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $196,118 | $196,597 |
In Evanston, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 43.34% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Evanston
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $136,820 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Evanston employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Evanston command premium compensation, often reaching the $168,852–$196,118 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Evanston 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 Evanston 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 Illinois 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 Evanston
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedEvanston ranks #4 of 64 Illinois cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $196,118).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Evanston ($196,118) is 14.05% above the Illinois average P90 ($171,955).
2019 BLS Actual
$156,737
2025 BLS Actual
$189,816
2026 Current Est.
$196,118
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $156,737 | Actual |
| 2020 | $162,074 | Actual |
| 2021 | $164,219 | Actual |
| 2022 | $167,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,008 | Actual |
| 2025 | $189,816 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $196,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $202,629 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Evanston saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $156,737 in 2019 to $189,816 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 $202,629 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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 Evanston
At the senior level, specialized roles significantly enhance earning potential within Evanston's healthcare market. For instance, physician assistants who focus on surgical specialties, such as orthopedics, critical care, and interventional cardiology, often experience compensation that exceeds generalist roles. Employment settings also impact salary outcomes; PAs working in hospital systems typically receive W-2 compensation packages that may include benefits like bonuses tied to productivity, while those in private practice or urgent care may operate under a 1099 structure that emphasizes volume-driven pay. Furthermore, leadership positions like lead PA or PA program faculty offer pathways toward enhanced compensation, especially when combined with advanced credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification. Other factors like first-assist responsibilities, call coverage, and volume of procedures can also lead to increases in overall pay, appealing to top talents in the field.
More salary data for Evanston, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Evanston in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Evanston?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Evanston?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Evanston?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Evanston?
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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 $189,816 for physician assistants in the Evanston 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 Evanston 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