Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $119,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Charlottesville, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $119,159 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Charlottesville's local price level (BEA RPP 99.1 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $120,185 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,974) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Charlottesville, VA can anticipate a starting salary of approximately $119,159. This figure establishes a noteworthy gap when compared to the median annual salary of $137,974 for established professionals in the area. Entry-level salaries position early-career PAs on a growth trajectory that averages around $132,157 after gaining some experience, indicating a solid pathway for financial advancement within the first few years of practice. Given these numbers, Charlottesville appears to be a reasonable market for new physician assistants, where the demand for healthcare professionals supports competitive entry-level compensation.
Career Earnings Timeline in Charlottesville
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 Charlottesville
Entry-level physician assistants in Charlottesville, VA typically start between $119,159 and $132,157 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $51,195 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,974 — 1.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Virginia of $85,000 represents just 71.33% of the starting physician assistant pay ($119,159/year) in Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville
- 1Research the Charlottesville market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $119,159 to $132,157, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Charlottesville'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 Charlottesville is $51,195 ( 42.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $119,159, experienced hygienists can earn up to $170,354.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,540
2025 BLS Actual
$115,330
2026 Current Est.
$119,159
2019–2027 Growth
+159.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,115 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Charlottesville, VA grew 142.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,540 in 2019 to $115,330 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $123,115. New graduates entering the Charlottesville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Exploring opportunities as an entry-level physician assistant in Charlottesville reveals several promising avenues for new grads. Employers such as primary care clinics and urgent care facilities often actively seek recent graduates, offering structured onboarding programs that promote skill development. Surgical specialties may also recruit PAs through residency or fellowship pipelines, which can lead to higher starting salaries due to the complexity of the roles. To enhance earning potential, acquiring credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, state PA licensure, and NCCPA national certification (PA-C) is essential. Newly minted PAs should also consider pursuing additional qualifications in subspecialties, as surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics and cardiac surgery, often enjoy higher salary brackets. In the first three years, realistic salary growth is achievable, supported by the evolving economic landscape and the ongoing shifts in the PA scope of practice as many states, including Virginia, adopt the Optimal Team Practice model.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Charlottesville in 2026?
How fast do physician assistant salaries grow in Charlottesville?
Is physician assistant school worth it in Charlottesville?
What do new physician assistants make right out of school in Charlottesville?
How do I become a physician assistant in Virginia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Charlottesville. 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