Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Bartlesville, OK: $171,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Bartlesville, OK — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $171,898/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Bartlesville's price premium (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $193,361 in average-cost America. The 40% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for experienced physician assistants in Bartlesville, OK, show a promising outlook for those at the top of the pay spectrum. With a median annual salary of $122,443 projected for 2026, seasoned professionals can earn significant compensation, particularly those who reach the 90th percentile, where salaries peak at $171,898. This top-tier potential is indicative of the experience premium associated with advanced roles in healthcare. Achieving such salaries often requires a combination of specialized training, continued education, and clinical expertise. In Bartlesville, as in other regions, those aiming for the highest earnings will likely need a mix of advanced credentials, including NCCPA certification, and the practical experience that differentiates senior professionals from their peers.
About the Bartlesville Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlesville
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Bartlesville earn between $142,504 and $171,898 per year (2026 est.). This $81,991 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Bartlesville median of $122,443 sits 12.78% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Bartlesville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $122,443 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,504 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $171,898 | $196,597 |
In Bartlesville, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 40.39% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Bartlesville
Advanced Certifications in Oklahoma
OK physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $122,443 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Bartlesville employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Bartlesville command premium compensation, often reaching the $142,504–$171,898 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville 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 Oklahoma 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 Bartlesville
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBartlesville ranks #10 of 27 Oklahoma cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $171,898).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Bartlesville ($171,898) is 2.8% below the Oklahoma average P90 ($176,852).
2019 BLS Actual
$137,380
2025 BLS Actual
$166,374
2026 Current Est.
$171,898
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bartlesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,058 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,938 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,998 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,333 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,605 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Bartlesville saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $137,380 in 2019 to $166,374 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 $177,605 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville
Compensation strategies for senior physician assistants in Bartlesville vary considerably depending on the area of specialization and the type of employer. Certain fields, particularly surgical positions in orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and dermatology, tend to command the highest pay due to the specialized skills required and the revenue generated through procedures. Employment settings also influence salary structures; hospital systems typically offer structured salaries and benefits, while ambulatory surgical practices and urgent care facilities might provide different incentives, such as revenue-based bonuses or call coverage stipends. As experienced PAs ascend within their careers, they may consider leadership positions such as chief PA or faculty roles in PA programs, which can offer substantial compensation benefits. Additional certifications, like earning added qualifications in subspecialties, further enhance earning potential, illustrating how advanced education and strategic career navigation can lead to lucrative opportunities in Bartlesville's healthcare market.
More salary data for Bartlesville, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Bartlesville in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Bartlesville?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Bartlesville?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Bartlesville?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Bartlesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 $166,374 for physician assistants in the Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville 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