Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Seattle, WA: $135,163 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Seattle, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $135,163 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Seattle's local price level (BEA RPP 111.1 — 11% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $121,623 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($172,844) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
A career as a physician assistant in Seattle appears promising for new graduates, particularly in terms of starting pay. In 2026, entry-level roles are projected to offer a salary beginning at around $135,163. This starting figure shows a noteworthy gap when compared to the median salary of $172,844 in the city. However, for those embarking on this career path, there is potential for significant salary growth over the first few years. As new grads gain experience, it is realistic to expect salaries to gradually rise toward the 25th percentile of $162,037 within the first three to five years. Overall, Seattle's market provides substantial opportunities for new physician assistants, making it an attractive option for recent MS-PA graduates.
Career Earnings Timeline in Seattle
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 Seattle
Entry-level physician assistants in Seattle, WA typically start between $135,163 and $162,037 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $91,077 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $172,844 — 23.12% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Washington of $100,000 represents just 73.98% of the starting physician assistant pay ($135,163/year) in Seattle. 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 Seattle
- 1Research the Seattle market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $135,163 to $162,037, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Seattle, 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 Seattle for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Seattle's above-average cost of living (index: 111.133) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Seattle is $91,077 ( 67.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $135,163, experienced hygienists can earn up to $226,240.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$103,040
2025 BLS Actual
$130,820
2026 Current Est.
$135,163
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,163 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,651 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Seattle, WA grew 27.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $103,040 in 2019 to $130,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $139,651. New graduates entering the Seattle job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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 Seattle
In Seattle, several employers specifically seek to hire new graduate physician assistants, with primary care and urgent care settings often offering structured onboarding programs that foster early career development. Hospitals and specialty clinics tend to focus on pipeline recruitment for positions like surgery through PA residency and fellowship programs. Credentials play an essential role in boosting entry-level salaries in Washington. Having a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and acquiring a state PA license are critical steps, while a DEA registration and optional Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties can provide further competitive advantages. For early-career PAs, embracing opportunities in fields such as surgical orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, which command higher compensation due to first-assist billing, can lead to more lucrative roles. Salary growth for entry-level physician assistants in Seattle can be encouraging, with realistic expectations for compensation adjustment as new grads gain essential experience and expand their professional networks within the industry.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Seattle. 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