PA Salary

Lawton vs Tulsa: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Lawton, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawton, OK
$136,610
$65.68/hr
Tulsa, OK
$138,841
$66.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawton, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$136,610$138,841
Hourly Rate$65.68$66.76
Entry Level (P10)$124,253$61,258
25th Percentile$130,968$133,541
75th Percentile$167,306$167,296
Top Earner (P90)$182,887$184,034
Total Employed30350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawton ($136,610) and Tulsa ($138,841) physician assistant salaries.LawtonTulsaMedian Salary$136,610$138,841Entry Level (P10)$124,253$61,258Top Earner (P90)$182,887$184,034US Median $140,391

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lawton.

The salary gap between Lawton and Tulsa is $2,231 (1.63%). Tulsa's median is -1.10% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawton spans $58,634,Tulsa spans $122,776. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

Lawton
P10 (Entry)$124,253
P25$130,968
Median$136,610
P75$167,306
P90 (Top)$182,887
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$61,258
P25$133,541
Median$138,841
P75$167,296
P90 (Top)$184,034

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($158,958 effective) pays 2.14% more than Tulsa ($155,627 effective).

Lawton
Nominal: $136,610
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $158,958
Tulsa
Nominal: $138,841
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $155,627

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $158,958)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,841/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,034)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Lawton grew 31.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.7% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Lawton, OK

+31.4%

$100,609 (2024) → $132,220 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+25.7%

$106,930 (2019) → $134,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Lawton or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median physician assistant salary at $138,841/year, compared to Lawton at $136,610/year — a difference of $2,231 (1.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawton and Tulsa?

Lawton physician assistants earn $65.68/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $66.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawton to Tulsa as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawton and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawton = $158,958, Tulsa = $155,627), job availability (30 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Lawton vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $124,253 in Lawton and $61,258 in Tulsa. The Lawton area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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