Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Bend, OR: $127,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Bend, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $127,445 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bend's local price level (BEA RPP 103.6 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $123,008 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($153,544) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bend, Oregon, new graduates entering the physician assistant field can expect to start their careers with a salary around $127,445, significantly below the city’s median for all physician assistants, which is $153,544. For those beginning their journey, this entry-level figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum, but it offers a pathway for growth. Over the first three to five years, early-career PAs can realistically anticipate moving from their initial earnings towards the 25th percentile salary of $140,267, thanks to the annual growth rate of 3.32%. Given Bend's robust healthcare sector, particularly in primary and urgent care, the market presents strong prospects for new graduates to secure favorable positions and experience consistent salary advancements as they gain expertise.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bend
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 Bend
Entry-level physician assistants in Bend, OR typically start between $127,445 and $140,267 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,555 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $153,544 — 9.37% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Oregon of $95,000 represents just 74.54% of the starting physician assistant pay ($127,445/year) in Bend. 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 Bend
- 1Research the Bend market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $127,445 to $140,267, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bend, 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 Bend for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bend'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 Bend is $50,555 ( 39.67%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $127,445, experienced hygienists can earn up to $178,000.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,570
2025 BLS Actual
$123,350
2026 Current Est.
$127,445
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,676 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Bend, OR grew 39.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $88,570 in 2019 to $123,350 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $131,676. New graduates entering the Bend job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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 Bend
When considering employment opportunities in Bend, early-career physician assistants will find several options that actively hire recent graduates. Primary care and urgent care settings often provide structured onboarding programs, easing the transition from academics to professional practice. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs frequently recruit new grads through residency pipelines, which may also offer higher compensation for roles in surgical assistance. Credentials and continuing education play a vital role in enhancing new grad physician assistant pay in Oregon; holding a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and acquiring state licensure can position new PAs for better wages. In this market, the expectations for salary growth during the first one to three years hinge on the level of responsibility and practice setting, as surgical PAs, particularly those involved in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, command some of the highest starting salaries due to their specialized functions. Engaging with resources such as AAPA can further enhance career development opportunities in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 Bend. 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