Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Austin, TX: $176,109 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Austin, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $176,109/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Austin's price premium (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $179,582 in average-cost America. The 27% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, the compensation for senior physician assistants is compelling, with a 2026 median annual salary set at $139,017. The salary distribution reveals a significant potential for top earners, exemplified by the 90th percentile earning an impressive $176,109. This standout figure is indicative of a considerable premium associated with experience, distinguishing seasoned professionals from their less experienced counterparts. To reach the highest echelons of pay, PAs in Austin typically need to cultivate specialized skills, often in surgical practice areas or high-demand fields, positioning themselves to capitalize on the strong market for top-tier talent in the healthcare sector.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Austin earn between $163,080 and $176,109 per year (2026 est.). This $60,566 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Austin median of $139,017 sits 0.98% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Austin | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $139,017 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,080 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $176,109 | $196,597 |
In Austin, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 26.68% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Austin
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $139,017 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Austin employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Austin command premium compensation, often reaching the $163,080–$176,109 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Austin metro area, which is a large PA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Austin with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Texas 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 Austin
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedAustin ranks #80 of 109 Texas cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $176,109).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Austin ($176,109) is 1.83% below the Texas average P90 ($179,401).
2019 BLS Actual
$154,050
2025 BLS Actual
$170,450
2026 Current Est.
$176,109
2019–2027 Growth
+18.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $154,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $171,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $159,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $167,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $170,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,109 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,956 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Austin saw their compensation grow 10.6% from $154,050 in 2019 to $170,450 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 $181,956 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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 Austin
Compensation approaches can vary greatly depending on the nature of the employer for experienced physician assistants in the Austin area. Institutions like hospital systems often offer W-2 positions with stable salaries, while surgical specialties, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, can provide enhanced earning opportunities through first-assist roles. Moreover, emergency medicine and critical care PAs may find their skills highly sought after in fast-paced environments, impacting their overall compensation. Advancing into leadership roles, such as lead PA or hospital chief PA, often requires specialized credentials, such as a Master’s degree from an accredited program and NCCPA certification. Additional factors influencing pay include RVU productivity bonuses and the structure of employment. As more PAs adopt the Optimal Team Practice model, advanced practice opportunities continue to expand within the profession, allowing experienced PAs to optimize their earnings while paving the way for future professionals in Austin, TX.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Austin in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Austin?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Austin?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Austin?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Austin?
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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 $170,450 for physician assistants in the Austin 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, 7-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