Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Ann Arbor, MI: $117,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Ann Arbor, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $117,196 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ann Arbor's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $116,174 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,802) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduates entering the physician assistant field in Ann Arbor, MI, can anticipate a starting salary around $117,196 in 2026. While this figure sits below the city’s median annual salary of $139,802, it reflects a solid entry point for new professionals in a growing market. The trajectory for early-career PAs appears promising; as experience accumulates, salaries can rise towards $138,335 and eventually to the median with diligent performance over the first few years. New graduates should be encouraged by the city's healthcare landscape, which is characterized by a mix of academic medical institutions and community health settings that support a healthy demand for physician assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ann Arbor
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 Ann Arbor
Entry-level physician assistants in Ann Arbor, MI typically start between $117,196 and $138,335 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,771 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,802 — 0.42% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Michigan of $85,000 represents just 72.53% of the starting physician assistant pay ($117,196/year) in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor
- 1Research the Ann Arbor market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $117,196 to $138,335, 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 MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ann Arbor'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 Ann Arbor is $50,771 ( 43.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $117,196, experienced hygienists can earn up to $167,967.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,210
2025 BLS Actual
$113,430
2026 Current Est.
$117,196
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Ann Arbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,087 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Ann Arbor, MI grew 34.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $84,210 in 2019 to $113,430 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $121,087. New graduates entering the Ann Arbor job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor
In Ann Arbor, several employers actively seek to onboard new PA graduates, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings where structured training programs are offered. Surgical subspecialties may recruit through PA residency programs, and hospital medicine groups often provide alternate schedules that could appeal to new professionals. To enhance their entry-level earning potential, candidates should focus on obtaining credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and relevant state licenses. Pursuing additional qualifications in high-demand areas, like orthopedics, can unlock higher salaries due to lucrative first-assist billing opportunities. In the initial years of career development, it’s realistic for new grads to steadily advance their salaries as they build experience, ultimately benefiting from Michigan’s supportive regulatory environment that fosters optimal team practice.
More salary data for Ann Arbor, MI:
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 Ann Arbor. 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