Physician Assistants Earn the Most in These Cities

Salary is naturally a consideration for physician assistants deciding where to put down roots. Some geographic locations boast significantly higher salaries than others. Whether as a result of scope of practice regulations, a supply and demand mismatch, or a local preference for physician assistants over other healthcare professionals, some cities pay physician assistants top salaries.

Each year the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects updated data about physician assistant salaries. The stats for 2017 are out! Here are the cities with the highest pay for PAs. 

1. Cedar Rapids, IA

Mean Hourly Wage: $70.61

Annual Mean Wage: $146,870

2. West Palm Beach / Boca Raton / Delray Beach, FL

Mean Hourly Wage: $69.11

Annual Mean Wage: $143,750

3. Olympia / Tumwater, WA

Mean Hourly Wage: $68.03

Annual Mean Wage: $141,510

4. Spokane, WA

Mean Hourly Wage: $65.98

Annual Mean Wage: $137,240

5. Mount Vernon / Anacortes, WA

Mean Hourly Wage: $65.82

Annual Mean Wage: $136,900

6. Yuba City, CA

Mean Hourly Wage: $65.41

Annual Mean Wage: $136,040

7. Redding, CA 

Mean Hourly Wage: $64.40

Annual Mean Wage: $133,950

8. San Francisco / Redwood City, CA

Mean Hourly Wage: $64.25

Annual Mean Wage: $133,640

9. Santa Cruz / Watsonville, CA

Mean Hourly Wage: $63.83

Annual Mean Wage: $132,760

10. Idaho Falls, ID

Mean Hourly Wage: $62.72

Annual Mean Wage: $130,450

Don’t forget to take cost of living into account when you look at PA salaries. While some cities compensate physician assistants at far higher than average rates, these locations may cost more to live in, negating some salary benefits. 

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