Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Columbus, OH: $101,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Columbus, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $101,068 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Columbus's local price level (BEA RPP 95.5 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $105,865 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,117) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, entry-level physician assistants in Columbus, Ohio, can expect starting salaries around $101,068, which is considerably lower than the city’s median annual pay of $142,117. This gap indicates that new grads may need to plan for gradual salary growth as they transition from their education into practice. Over the first three to five years, many early-career PAs can realistically anticipate moving from the lower percentile salary of $101,068 to the 25th percentile ($123,912), driven by experience and skill development. Given the projected growth of 3.32% annually in the healthcare sector, Columbus remains a promising job market, positioning new graduates for steady opportunities in this in-demand profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Columbus
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 Columbus
Entry-level physician assistants in Columbus, OH typically start between $101,068 and $123,912 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,198 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,117 — 1.23% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Ohio of $85,000 represents just 84.10% of the starting physician assistant pay ($101,068/year) in Columbus. 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 Columbus
- 1Research the Columbus market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $101,068 to $123,912, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Columbus, 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 Columbus for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Columbus'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 Columbus is $118,198 ( 116.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $101,068, experienced hygienists can earn up to $219,266.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,020
2025 BLS Actual
$97,820
2026 Current Est.
$101,068
2019–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,423 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Columbus, OH grew 28.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $76,020 in 2019 to $97,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,423. New graduates entering the Columbus job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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 Columbus
Employers in Columbus who actively recruit new grad physician assistants typically include primary care facilities and urgent care clinics, which often provide structured onboarding programs to ease the transition for recent graduates. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs may recruit through residency or fellowship pathways, while hospital medicine groups offer various work schedules, including night shifts. To elevate their starting pay, prospective PAs should prioritize obtaining credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a state PA license. Engaging in continuing education and pursuing specialized certifications can further enhance potential earnings. In the first few years, career strategies might focus on gaining diverse clinical experiences while adhering to state laws governing PA practice and collaborating effectively with supervising physicians. Notably, surgical PAs in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery can achieve the highest pay due to first-assist billing capabilities, making these pathways particularly lucrative for ambitious new grads in OH.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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 Columbus. 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