Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Mount Vernon, WA: $215,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Mount Vernon, WA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $215,427/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Mount Vernon's price premium (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $200,584 in average-cost America. The 39% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Mount Vernon offers an attractive salary landscape for experienced physician assistants, with a median annual salary of $155,009 projected for 2026. This figure represents a significant opportunity for seasoned professionals, particularly with the potential to exceed $215,427 at the 90th percentile. The disparity seen in the earnings of top-tier PAs illustrates the experience premium, as those with more than seven years in the field can significantly outpace the median salary, indicating a robust market for top physician assistant salary Mount Vernon. Achieving these heights requires advanced skills, specialization, and often engagement in leadership roles, making it essential for PAs to continuously refine their expertise to capitalize on these lucrative opportunities.
About the Mount Vernon Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Vernon
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Mount Vernon earn between $187,879 and $215,427 per year (2026 est.). This $103,633 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Mount Vernon median of $155,009 sits 10.41% above the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Mount Vernon | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $155,009 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $187,879 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $215,427 | $196,597 |
In Mount Vernon, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 38.98% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Mount Vernon
Advanced Certifications in Washington
WA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $155,009 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Mount Vernon employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Mount Vernon command premium compensation, often reaching the $187,879–$215,427 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon 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 Washington 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 Mount Vernon
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMount Vernon ranks #27 of 50 Washington cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $215,427).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Mount Vernon ($215,427) is 2.58% below the Washington average P90 ($221,122).
2019 BLS Actual
$138,680
2025 BLS Actual
$208,505
2026 Current Est.
$215,427
2019–2027 Growth
+60.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Mount Vernon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $169,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $169,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $197,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $198,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $208,505 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $215,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $222,580 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Mount Vernon saw their compensation grow 50.3% from $138,680 in 2019 to $208,505 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 $222,580 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon
In Mount Vernon, specific specialties command higher senior physician assistant pay WA, particularly in fields such as surgical assistance, emergency medicine, and critical care. Salaries can vary considerably based on employer type; for instance, surgical specialists often provide superior compensation compared to primary care positions, reflecting the first-assist billing capabilities in high-demand settings like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. To ascend the career ladder, roles such as surgical first assist coordinator or lead PA may await those who demonstrate excellence. Further credentialing, such as obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications and engaging in ongoing education from accredited programs like those recognized by the NCCPA, can enhance job security and pay. Non-salary compensation is also worth considering; factors like case volume, call coverage, and hospital versus private practice arrangements can influence overall earnings in this field.
More salary data for Mount Vernon, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Mount Vernon in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Mount Vernon?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Mount Vernon?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Mount Vernon?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Mount Vernon?
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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 $208,505 for physician assistants in the Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon 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