Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Oklahoma City, OK: $106,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Oklahoma City, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $106,306 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oklahoma City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $117,585 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($143,532) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Oklahoma City, the starting physician assistant salary in 2026 is estimated at $106,306. This figure represents entry-level pay and positions itself below the city median of $143,532. Though new grads may find themselves earning less initially, the salary growth potential is significant. Over the first few years, many can expect to advance towards the 25th percentile salary of $135,721 as they gain experience and knowledge in their roles. Oklahoma City currently presents a favorable job market for recent graduates, offering ample opportunities within a variety of healthcare settings, which is advantageous for those just starting their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oklahoma City
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 Oklahoma City
Entry-level physician assistants in Oklahoma City, OK typically start between $106,306 and $135,721 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,689 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $143,532 — 2.24% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oklahoma of $60,000 represents just 56.44% of the starting physician assistant pay ($106,306/year) in Oklahoma City. 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 Oklahoma City
- 1Research the Oklahoma City market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $106,306 to $135,721, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Oklahoma City, 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 Oklahoma City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oklahoma City's below-average 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 Oklahoma City is $69,689 ( 65.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $106,306, experienced hygienists can earn up to $175,995.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,880
2025 BLS Actual
$102,890
2026 Current Est.
$106,306
2019–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,835 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Oklahoma City, OK grew 19.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $85,880 in 2019 to $102,890 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $109,835. New graduates entering the Oklahoma City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Several employers in Oklahoma City actively hire new physician assistants to fill entry-level roles, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, which often provide structured onboarding programs. Hospitals and surgical subspecialty programs tend to favor applicants with advanced training or experience, such as through PA residency or fellowship pipelines for surgical positions. To enhance their starting pay in Oklahoma, it’s beneficial for new graduates to hold a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, along with NCCPA certification and a state PA license. Furthermore, obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications can differentiate candidates in a competitive job market. In the first three years, realistic salary expectations for new graduates can see steady progression, especially for those working in high-demand fields like surgery, where PAs often participate in revenue-generating activities as first assistants, allowing them to command higher compensation along with the growing adoption of Optimal Team Practice models across the state.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Oklahoma City in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Oklahoma City?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Oklahoma City?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Oklahoma City?
How do I become a physician assistant in Oklahoma?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma City. 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