Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $179,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Pleasant Prairie, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $179,055/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Pleasant Prairie's price premium (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $191,708 in average-cost America. The 36% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pleasant Prairie, WI, senior physician assistants can expect to see significant earning potential in 2026, with top earners (P90) earning as much as $179,055 annually, while the 75th percentile (P75) showcases a robust $153,651. This presents a notable income gap when compared to the median salary of $131,830 for experienced professionals. Achieving top-tier pay in this area typically requires over seven years of experience, proficiency in specialized skills, and possibly advanced certifications recognized by the NCCPA. Individuals who assume senior roles or supervisory positions can manifest substantial financial rewards, especially in high-demand specialties such as surgical procedures and emergency medicine, where the potential for increased income is particularly high.
About the Pleasant Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pleasant Prairie
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Pleasant Prairie earn between $153,651 and $179,055 per year (2026 est.). This $79,364 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Pleasant Prairie median of $131,830 sits 6.1% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Pleasant Prairie | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $131,830 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $153,651 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $179,055 | $196,597 |
In Pleasant Prairie, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 35.82% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Pleasant Prairie
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $131,830 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Pleasant Prairie employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Pleasant Prairie command premium compensation, often reaching the $153,651–$179,055 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedPleasant Prairie ranks #20 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $179,055).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Pleasant Prairie ($179,055) is 3.38% above the Wisconsin average P90 ($173,204).
2019 BLS Actual
$143,100
2025 BLS Actual
$173,301
2026 Current Est.
$179,055
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,973 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,118 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,643 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $179,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,999 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Pleasant Prairie saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $143,100 in 2019 to $173,301 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 $184,999 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
Compensation strategies for experienced physician assistants in Pleasant Prairie often diverge significantly based on specialization and employer type. Surgical PAs involved in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery typically command higher salaries due to their critical roles, which may include first-assist responsibilities that are billable to patients. This contrasts with roles in primary care or generalist practice settings, which generally offer lower compensation. Senior physician assistants can also pursue leadership positions such as chief PA or faculty roles in PA programs, further enhancing their earning potential. Advanced educational credentials like a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, board certification as a PA-C, and any sub-specialty qualifications can substantially boost pay. Non-salary benefits, such as RVU productivity bonuses and call coverage stipends, also play a vital role in overall compensation, providing a comprehensive view of the financial rewards available in this profession.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Pleasant Prairie in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Pleasant Prairie?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Pleasant Prairie?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Pleasant Prairie?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Pleasant Prairie?
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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 $173,301 for physician assistants in the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie 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