Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $174,983 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Milwaukee, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $174,983/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Milwaukee's price premium (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $180,512 in average-cost America. The 25% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Milwaukee's market for experienced physician assistants reflects a promising trajectory for those advancing in their careers. In 2026, top earners in the area can expect to receive up to $174,983, with the 75th percentile making approximately $166,428. This significantly high earning potential demonstrates a deliberate gap between the median salary of $139,523 and the compensation achieved by top-tier professionals. Achieving such levels of pay generally necessitates extensive experience—over seven years—and often involves additional certifications and specialization. Advanced skills in highly demanding fields like surgical assistance or emergency medicine can propel seasoned physician assistants into the upper echelons of earning potential, solidifying their place as vital assets within healthcare teams.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Milwaukee earn between $166,428 and $174,983 per year (2026 est.). This $74,670 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Milwaukee median of $139,523 sits 0.62% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Milwaukee | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $139,523 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,428 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $174,983 | $196,597 |
In Milwaukee, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 25.42% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Milwaukee
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $139,523 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Milwaukee employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Milwaukee command premium compensation, often reaching the $166,428–$174,983 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Wisconsin 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 Milwaukee
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMilwaukee ranks #30 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $174,983).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Milwaukee ($174,983) is 1.03% above the Wisconsin average P90 ($173,204).
2019 BLS Actual
$133,460
2025 BLS Actual
$169,360
2026 Current Est.
$174,983
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,983 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,792 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Milwaukee saw their compensation grow 26.9% from $133,460 in 2019 to $169,360 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 $180,792 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Specialization is one of the key determinants of salary differences for senior physician assistants in Milwaukee, with roles in vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, and emergency medicine often attracting premium pay. Those working within large hospital systems tend to enjoy more stable salaries and benefits compared to their counterparts in specialized practices or urgent care settings who might operate on a 1099 basis. Moreover, leadership opportunities are available for seasoned professionals, with positions such as chief PA or PA residency director facilitating not just career advancement but potentially increased compensation as well. Pursuing advanced qualifications, such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program or acquiring a Certificate of Added Qualifications, can further augment earning potential. Non-salary advantages also play a role in overall compensation; surgical PAs frequently gain additional income through first-assist billing, RVU productivity bonuses, and comprehensive benefits that add value to their positions in the competitive Milwaukee market.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Milwaukee in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Milwaukee?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Milwaukee?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Milwaukee?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Milwaukee?
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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 $169,360 for physician assistants in the Milwaukee 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