Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $206,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Dartmouth, MA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $206,517/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Dartmouth's price premium (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $190,338 in average-cost America. The 39% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Achieving a top physician assistant salary in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, is well within reach for seasoned professionals. With a projected median annual salary of $148,581 in 2026, experienced physician assistants who excel in their careers can earn significantly more, with the top earners (P90) poised to make $206,517. This figure not only highlights the substantial pay disparity between the median and the highest salaries but also reflects the importance of specialization and experience in the field. Moving into high-demand roles or sub-specialties is key for PAs looking to reach such elevations in compensation. Understanding the intricacies of Dartmouth's healthcare market allows senior physician assistants to strategize their career trajectories for maximum financial benefit.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Dartmouth earn between $180,553 and $206,517 per year (2026 est.). This $99,026 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Dartmouth median of $148,581 sits 5.83% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Dartmouth | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $148,581 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $180,553 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $206,517 | $196,597 |
In Dartmouth, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 38.99% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Dartmouth
Advanced Certifications in Massachusetts
MA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $148,581 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Dartmouth employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Dartmouth command premium compensation, often reaching the $180,553–$206,517 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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 Massachusetts 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 Dartmouth
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedDartmouth ranks #25 of 59 Massachusetts cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $206,517).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Dartmouth ($206,517) is 0.04% below the Massachusetts average P90 ($206,596).
2019 BLS Actual
$165,048
2025 BLS Actual
$199,881
2026 Current Est.
$206,517
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Dartmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $165,048 | Actual |
| 2020 | $170,668 | Actual |
| 2021 | $172,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $176,603 | Actual |
| 2023 | $179,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $198,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $199,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $206,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $213,373 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Dartmouth saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $165,048 in 2019 to $199,881 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 $213,373 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth
Opportunities for lucrative salaries in Dartmouth are often concentrated in specializations like surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery, as well as emergency medicine and dermatology. Compensation varies significantly across employers, with hospital systems and surgical specialty practices generally offering higher pay packages than primary care offices or urgent care clinics. Senior-level PAs might find career advancement potential in roles such as lead PA, surgical first assist coordinator, or faculty positions within accredited programs like those recognized by ARC-PA. Furthermore, advanced credentials, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program or Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties, can further enhance earning potential. As the landscape evolves, non-salary benefits like RVU productivity bonuses and varying work structures, such as W-2 employment versus independent contractor arrangements, also play crucial roles in total compensation for top earners in the region.
More salary data for Dartmouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Dartmouth in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Dartmouth?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Dartmouth?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Dartmouth?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Dartmouth?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $199,881 for physician assistants in the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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