Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Tualatin, OR: $204,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Tualatin, OR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $204,996/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Tualatin's price premium (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $199,801 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
With an estimated median annual salary of $146,571 in 2026, experienced physician assistants in Tualatin, Oregon, can expect significant earnings potential, especially at the top of the scale. The 90th percentile earners can pull in as much as $204,996, demonstrating a considerable gap between top-tier pay and the overall median salary. This experience premium highlights the financial benefits of advancing one's career through specialization and leadership roles. To reach such peak earnings in Tualatin, PAs typically need at least seven years of clinical experience, focusing on high-demand specialties and building a strong professional network to enhance their opportunities.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tualatin
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Tualatin earn between $170,113 and $204,996 per year (2026 est.). This $90,352 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Tualatin median of $146,571 sits 4.4% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Tualatin | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $146,571 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,113 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $204,996 | $196,597 |
In Tualatin, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 39.86% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Tualatin
Advanced Certifications in Oregon
OR physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $146,571 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Tualatin employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Tualatin command premium compensation, often reaching the $170,113–$204,996 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Tualatin 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 Tualatin 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 Tualatin
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedTualatin ranks #7 of 36 Oregon cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $204,996).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Tualatin ($204,996) is 1.88% below the Oregon average P90 ($208,920).
2019 BLS Actual
$163,832
2025 BLS Actual
$198,409
2026 Current Est.
$204,996
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $163,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,411 | Actual |
| 2021 | $171,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $175,302 | Actual |
| 2023 | $178,086 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,801 | Actual |
| 2025 | $198,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $204,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $211,802 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Tualatin saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $163,832 in 2019 to $198,409 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 $211,802 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tualatin 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 Tualatin
In Tualatin, senior physician assistants can significantly increase their compensation through specializations that command premium pay, such as surgical roles in orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and interventional cardiology. Compensation can vary considerably by employer, with hospital systems generally offering W-2 positions, whereas specialty practices may provide more lucrative 1099 arrangements. Leadership opportunities also abound for seasoned PAs, including roles such as lead PA, PA program faculty, and director of residency or fellowship programs. To further enhance their earning potential, obtaining advanced credentials such as a master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and national certification with the NCCPA is crucial. Moreover, the factors affecting salary at this level include case volume for first-assist roles and the ability to earn RVU productivity bonuses, making comprehensive understanding of both financial and operational policies essential for maximizing earnings in this profession.
More salary data for Tualatin, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Tualatin in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Tualatin?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Tualatin?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Tualatin?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Tualatin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $198,409 for physician assistants in the Tualatin 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 Tualatin 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