Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Jeffersontown, KY: $163,742 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Jeffersontown, KY — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $163,742/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Jeffersontown's price premium (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $183,362 in average-cost America. The 38% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jeffersontown, KY, the advanced career opportunities for senior physician assistants are reflected in substantial pay disparities at the top of the salary range. With projected earnings reaching $163,742 for the highest earners, the experienced physician assistant salary in Jeffersontown significantly outpaces the median annual salary of $119,015. This highlights the experience premium that senior professionals can command; there is a notable gap between the typical earnings and what top-tier PAs can achieve. Reaching this level of compensation often requires a strategic focus on specialized skills, continuous education, and increasing responsibilities, ensuring robust career advancement within the local healthcare ecosystem.
About the Jeffersontown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jeffersontown
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Jeffersontown earn between $143,510 and $163,742 per year (2026 est.). This $72,960 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Jeffersontown median of $119,015 sits 15.23% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Jeffersontown | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $119,015 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,510 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $163,742 | $196,597 |
In Jeffersontown, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 37.58% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Jeffersontown
Advanced Certifications in Kentucky
KY physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $119,015 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Jeffersontown employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Jeffersontown command premium compensation, often reaching the $143,510–$163,742 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Jeffersontown 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 Jeffersontown 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 Kentucky 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 Jeffersontown
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedJeffersontown ranks #14 of 21 Kentucky cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $163,742).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Jeffersontown ($163,742) is 9.99% below the Kentucky average P90 ($181,912).
2019 BLS Actual
$130,862
2025 BLS Actual
$158,480
2026 Current Est.
$163,742
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Jeffersontown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,862 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,108 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,023 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,247 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,742 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,178 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Jeffersontown saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $130,862 in 2019 to $158,480 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 $169,178 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jeffersontown 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 Jeffersontown
Examining the landscape of senior physician assistant pay in KY, specific specialties such as surgical, emergency medicine, and dermatology attract premium compensation. Senior practitioners in surgical settings, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, are best positioned to access top physician assistant salary levels in Jeffersontown, given the high demand for first-assist roles and the associated billing advantages. Moreover, compensation varies significantly by employer type; those in hospital systems or surgical specialty practices often receive more competitive packages than those in primary care settings. Career advancement opportunities remain plentiful for seasoned PAs, with potential roles such as lead PA or PA residency director offering pathways to elevate their professions further. Advanced certifications, such as the NCCPA national certification and a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, can also enhance earning potential, along with non-salary benefits like call coverage and productivity bonuses that altogether shape the senior compensation landscape in April 2026.
More salary data for Jeffersontown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Jeffersontown in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Jeffersontown?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Jeffersontown?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Jeffersontown?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Jeffersontown?
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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 $158,480 for physician assistants in the Jeffersontown 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 Jeffersontown 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