When you’re looking for a job as a physician assistant or evaluating a potential career change, salary is a major consideration. Will furthering your education be worth the cost? If you are relocating for a position, will you be able to afford to live in your new locale? Working through the dollars and cents of your next career move is a must.
The first step in evaluating the financials behind furthering your education or making a career move is to consider how much you can expect to earn working as a physician assistant. Average salaries don’t predict your exact income, but they can give you general insight into how much you can expect to make in your practice. Physician assistant salaries vary considerably across state lines as well as among local job markets. Don’t forget to look at income based on specialty as well as you consider your PA earning potential.
These 11 states have the lowest physician assistant salaries in the country.
1. Mississippi
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $49,900
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $23.99/hour
2. Arkansas
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $75,700
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $36.40/hour
3. Louisiana
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $81,290
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $39.08/hour
4. Illinois
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $83,770
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $40.28/hour
5. South Carolina
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $84,350
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $40.55
6. Maryland
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $84,550
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $40.65/hour
7. Virginia
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $86,550
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $41.51/hour
8. Pennsylvania
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $87,020
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $41.84/hour
9. Alabama
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $89,890
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $43.22/hour
10. Tennessee
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $90,150
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $43.34/hour
11. Hawaii
Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $90,880
Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $43.69/hour
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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