Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $196,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Grants Pass, OR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $196,556/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Grants Pass's price premium (BEA RPP 97.8, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $201,060 in average-cost America. The 25% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the potential for experienced physician assistants in Grants Pass, Oregon, is particularly promising, with top earners reaching up to $196,556 annually. The median annual salary of $157,408 suggests a significant premium for experienced professionals, given that those at the higher end of the pay scale (P75) earn about $174,352. This disparity underlines the increasing value placed on experience and specialized skill sets in the healthcare landscape. To achieve these elevated wage levels, physician assistants must not only have robust clinical acumen but also pursue advanced certifications and gather extensive experience in high-demand specialties that garner premium pay.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grants Pass
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Grants Pass earn between $174,352 and $196,556 per year (2026 est.). This $64,441 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Grants Pass median of $157,408 sits 12.12% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Grants Pass | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $157,408 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,352 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $196,556 | $196,597 |
In Grants Pass, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 24.87% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Grants Pass
Advanced Certifications in Oregon
OR physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $157,408 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Grants Pass employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Grants Pass command premium compensation, often reaching the $174,352–$196,556 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass 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 Oregon 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 Grants Pass
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGrants Pass ranks #20 of 36 Oregon cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $196,556).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Grants Pass ($196,556) is 5.92% below the Oregon average P90 ($208,920).
2019 BLS Actual
$157,590
2025 BLS Actual
$190,240
2026 Current Est.
$196,556
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $158,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $164,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $179,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $190,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $194,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $190,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $196,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $203,082 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Grants Pass saw their compensation grow 20.7% from $157,590 in 2019 to $190,240 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 $203,082 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass
Remuneration for senior physician assistants in Grants Pass often varies based on their area of expertise and the type of employer. Specializations such as surgical assistance in orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery often lead to enhanced compensation opportunities compared to primary care settings. Institutions like hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment, while surgical practices and locum tenens roles might provide different structures that could significantly impact total earnings due to variations in call coverage and RVU productivity bonuses. Career advancement roles like lead PA, PA program faculty, or even contributions to AAPA initiatives can also influence pay scales. Furthermore, holding advanced qualifications such as NCCPA certification, a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, and state licensure positions senior professionals favorably within the labor market, fostering an environment where top physician assistant salary in Grants Pass can be maximized.
More salary data for Grants Pass, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Grants Pass in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Grants Pass?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Grants Pass?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Grants Pass?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Grants Pass?
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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 $190,240 for physician assistants in the Grants Pass 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, 6-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