Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Elmira, NY: $164,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Elmira, NY — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $164,330/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Elmira's price premium (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $174,082 in average-cost America. The 16% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Elmira is emerging as an attractive market for experienced physician assistants, particularly for those who have dedicated seven or more years to the field. The 2026 projections reveal a substantial salary potential, with top earners in the P90 bracket making $164,330 annually. This is a compelling figure when compared to the national landscape, where the highest earners average around $140,391. Such earnings highlight an experience premium evident in the local market, as the median annual salary for physician assistants sits at $142,117. Achieving these top-tier compensation levels often requires not only extensive clinical expertise but also targeted specializations, along with a strategic approach to career advancement that may involve leadership roles or further certifications.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Elmira earn between $157,553 and $164,330 per year (2026 est.). This $76,374 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Elmira median of $142,117 sits 1.23% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Elmira | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $142,117 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,553 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $164,330 | $196,597 |
In Elmira, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 15.63% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Elmira
Advanced Certifications in New York
NY physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $142,117 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Elmira employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Elmira command premium compensation, often reaching the $157,553–$164,330 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Elmira 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 Elmira 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 New York 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 Elmira
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedElmira ranks #38 of 39 New York cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $164,330).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Elmira ($164,330) is 19.43% below the New York average P90 ($203,957).
2019 BLS Actual
$131,332
2025 BLS Actual
$159,050
2026 Current Est.
$164,330
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,332 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,804 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,786 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Elmira saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $131,332 in 2019 to $159,050 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 $169,786 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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 Elmira
The nuances of senior physician assistant pay in Elmira reflect varying compensation scales across different specializations and employment settings. Surgical physician assistants, notably in orthopedics and cardiothoracic areas, typically command higher salaries, owing to their involvement in complex procedures and lucrative first-assist billing. Compensation can further sway based on the type of organization, with hospital systems generally offering W-2 salaries, while private practices or urgent care centers might provide different financial incentives such as RVU productivity bonuses. A path toward leadership roles like lead PA or department director is not uncommon, especially for those who achieve additional credentials, like a Master's from an ARC-PA accredited program or a Certificate of Added Qualifications. Non-salary factors, including the volume of cases handled, call responsibilities, and even the choice between hospital employment and private practice, can substantially influence a senior physician assistant's overall earning potential in Elmira, NY.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Elmira in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Elmira?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Elmira?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Elmira?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Elmira?
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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 $159,050 for physician assistants in the Elmira 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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