Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL: $108,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Chicago, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $108,651 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chicago's local price level (BEA RPP 103.6 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,881 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,188) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In the Chicago job market for entry-level physician assistants, new graduates can expect starting salaries around $108,651 in 2026. While this base figure might appear modest compared to the city median salary of $132,188, it reflects the initial pay scale that many new professionals face as they transition from education to practice. Over the first few years, this entry-level compensation can rise as individuals gain experience, likely moving towards $126,856 within their initial years. With a steady growth trajectory projected at 3.32% annually, Chicago maintains a viable job landscape for aspiring physician assistants, offering ample opportunities to build a rewarding career in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chicago
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
Entry-level physician assistants in Chicago, IL typically start between $108,651 and $126,856 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,188 — 5.84% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Illinois of $110,000 represents just 101.24% of the starting physician assistant pay ($108,651/year) in Chicago. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Chicago
- 1Research the Chicago market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $108,651 to $126,856, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chicago, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Chicago for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chicago's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Chicago is $61,000 ( 56.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $108,651, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,651.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$80,820
2025 BLS Actual
$105,160
2026 Current Est.
$108,651
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,259 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Chicago, IL grew 30.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $80,820 in 2019 to $105,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,259. New graduates entering the Chicago job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Chicago
Looking at who hires these new graduates, primary care and urgent care facilities are prime destinations for entry-level PAs. These employers typically provide structured onboarding processes that help recent graduates acclimate to the workforce. Beyond primary care, surgical subspecialty programs often hire through more competitive residency pathways, while hospital medicine groups may offer unique night-only positions. To enhance starting physician assistant pay in IL, credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification are essential. Graduates who seek to specialize further may also pursue Certificates of Added Qualifications. In the early years of practice, entry-level PAs can realistically expect to see salary increases reflecting their expanding skill sets, particularly in high-demand specialties like orthopedics, which often command premium pay due to billing associated with first-assist roles. With a grounded strategy and proactive career development, new grads can successfully navigate their first three years in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Chicago. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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