Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Hillsboro, OR: $241,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Hillsboro, OR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $241,896/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Hillsboro's price premium (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $235,766 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
Operating in Hillsboro, Oregon as a seasoned physician assistant has lucrative potential, especially for those reaching the upper echelons of income. The top-tier salaries in this region for 2026 illustrate significant opportunities, with the 90th percentile earning as much as $241,896 annually, well above the national median of $140,391. This stark contrast highlights a prominent experience premium, where the median annual salary of $173,100 serves as a solid foundation for those committed to advancing their practice. Achieving this level of income benefits from both specialized skills and the strategic pursuit of advanced certifications and leadership roles, establishing a path for motivated professionals looking to maximize their earning potential in the evolving healthcare landscape.
About the Hillsboro Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hillsboro
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Hillsboro earn between $208,971 and $241,896 per year (2026 est.). This $117,939 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Hillsboro median of $173,100 sits 23.3% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Hillsboro | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $173,100 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $208,971 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $241,896 | $196,597 |
In Hillsboro, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 39.74% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Hillsboro
Advanced Certifications in Oregon
OR physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $173,100 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Hillsboro employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Hillsboro command premium compensation, often reaching the $208,971–$241,896 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedHillsboro ranks #1 of 36 Oregon cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $241,896).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Hillsboro ($241,896) is 15.78% above the Oregon average P90 ($208,920).
2019 BLS Actual
$193,323
2025 BLS Actual
$234,123
2026 Current Est.
$241,896
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Hillsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $193,323 | Actual |
| 2020 | $199,905 | Actual |
| 2021 | $202,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $206,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $210,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $190,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $234,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $241,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $249,927 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Hillsboro saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $193,323 in 2019 to $234,123 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 $249,927 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro
In Hillsboro, specialized skills command premium compensation, especially in fields such as surgical assistance within orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, as well as emergency medicine and dermatology. Senior physician assistants typically find that their place of employment greatly influences their salary structure; those working within hospital systems often benefit from structured W-2 compensation, while those in specialty practices or locum tenens roles might see varied income streams based on productivity and case volume. Furthermore, advanced credentials like a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program or NCCPA certification significantly enhance marketability and pay prospects. Leadership tracks, such as roles as a lead PA or a residency program director, offer additional pathways for professional growth, portraying how a dedicated approach to career advancement can considerably elevate senior physician assistant pay in Hillsboro. Non-salary benefits, including RVU productivity bonuses and specialty-specific incentives, also play a critical role in overall compensation, enhancing the allure of senior positions in this dynamic sector.
More salary data for Hillsboro, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Hillsboro in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Hillsboro?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Hillsboro?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Hillsboro?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Hillsboro?
Related Pages
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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 $234,123 for physician assistants in the Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro 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