Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $172,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Wilkes-Barre, PA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $172,684/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Wilkes-Barre's price premium (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $177,294 in average-cost America. The 35% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a senior physician assistant in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can anticipate a median annual salary of $127,837, but the top earners (P90) could reach as high as $172,684. This represents a significant gap between the median and the highest salaries, emphasizing the rewards associated with advanced experience. While the median salary for experienced physician assistants in Wilkes-Barre is notably below the national average of $140,391, the local market still offers considerable earning potential, particularly for those who excel in sought-after specialties. Achieving top-tier pay requires not only extensive clinical experience, typically over seven years, but often also advanced credentials and potentially leadership roles within the healthcare setting.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Wilkes-Barre earn between $151,911 and $172,684 per year (2026 est.). This $78,564 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Wilkes-Barre median of $127,837 sits 8.94% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Wilkes-Barre | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $127,837 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,911 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $172,684 | $196,597 |
In Wilkes-Barre, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 35.08% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Wilkes-Barre
Advanced Certifications in Pennsylvania
PA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $127,837 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Wilkes-Barre employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Wilkes-Barre command premium compensation, often reaching the $151,911–$172,684 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Pennsylvania 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 Wilkes-Barre
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedWilkes-Barre ranks #6 of 25 Pennsylvania cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $172,684).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Wilkes-Barre ($172,684) is 5.5% above the Pennsylvania average P90 ($163,675).
2019 BLS Actual
$138,008
2025 BLS Actual
$167,135
2026 Current Est.
$172,684
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,008 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,708 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,417 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Wilkes-Barre saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $138,008 in 2019 to $167,135 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 $178,417 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
Compensation for senior physician assistants varies widely depending on the area of expertise, with surgical specialties such as orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery commanding the highest salaries. Employers including hospital systems, urgent care centers, and specialty practices have their own compensation structures, with W-2 employees generally seeing different pay nuances compared to 1099 contract workers. Advanced roles such as lead PA or PA program faculty can further enhance income prospects, particularly for those holding a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification. Non-salary compensation factors, including call coverage and productivity bonuses, significantly influence overall earnings, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the senior physician assistant pay landscape in PA.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Wilkes-Barre in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Wilkes-Barre?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Wilkes-Barre?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Wilkes-Barre?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Wilkes-Barre?
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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 $167,135 for physician assistants in the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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