Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $169,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Oshkosh, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $169,362/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Oshkosh's price premium (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $182,249 in average-cost America. The 21% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, seasoned physician assistants can expect a substantial financial return on their advanced skills and expertise. The projected 2026 median annual salary stands at $140,298, but for those aiming at the upper echelon of the profession, salaries can soar as high as $169,362. With this range, the potential for experienced physician assistants to achieve top salaries is significant, offering a clear path for those who excel in their roles. To break into this top-tier compensation bracket, PAs must cultivate a specific set of advanced skills, often through specialization and years of hands-on experience, underscoring the value of a robust career in this field.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Oshkosh earn between $159,981 and $169,362 per year (2026 est.). This $42,743 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Oshkosh median of $140,298 sits 0.07% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Oshkosh | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $140,298 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $159,981 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $169,362 | $196,597 |
In Oshkosh, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 20.72% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Oshkosh
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $140,298 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Oshkosh employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Oshkosh command premium compensation, often reaching the $159,981–$169,362 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh 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 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 Oshkosh
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedOshkosh ranks #37 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $169,362).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Oshkosh ($169,362) is 2.22% below the Wisconsin average P90 ($173,204).
2019 BLS Actual
$149,210
2025 BLS Actual
$163,920
2026 Current Est.
$169,362
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $151,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,985 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Oshkosh saw their compensation grow 9.9% from $149,210 in 2019 to $163,920 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 $174,985 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh
Diving deeper into the specifics of senior physician assistant pay in WI, certain specializations can drastically influence earning potential. Areas such as surgical assistance in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, as well as fields like emergency medicine and critical care, command particularly high salaries. Compensation can vary considerably depending on the employer type; for instance, hospital systems typically offer stable W-2 contracts, while surgical specialty practices and urgent care chains might allow for additional income through enhanced productivity and varying call schedules. Leadership roles are also an avenue for advanced career progression, with opportunities to become a lead PA or even director of a PA training program. Credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and national certification through the NCCPA can further elevate a PA's marketability and pay in Oshkosh, making non-salary benefits like bonuses based on case volume particularly important in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Oshkosh in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Oshkosh?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Oshkosh?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Oshkosh?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Oshkosh?
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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 $163,920 for physician assistants in the Oshkosh 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