Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Yakima, WA: $126,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Yakima, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $126,205 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Yakima's local price level (BEA RPP 95.5 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $132,090 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($141,104) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates in Yakima, Washington, the prospects for an entry-level physician assistant career are promising, with a starting salary set at $126,205 in 2026. While this figure may appear lower than the city's overall median annual salary of $141,104, the gap shows a feasible growth trajectory for early-career professionals. Over the span of their initial three to five years, entry-level PAs can anticipate gradual income increases, likely stabilizing around $134,306 as they gain experience and establish their practice. Yakima's healthcare market currently offers a variety of options for new graduates, making it a viable location to begin their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Yakima
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 Yakima
Entry-level physician assistants in Yakima, WA typically start between $126,205 and $134,306 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $46,453 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $141,104 — 0.51% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Washington of $100,000 represents just 79.24% of the starting physician assistant pay ($126,205/year) in Yakima. 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 Yakima
- 1Research the Yakima market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $126,205 to $134,306, 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 Yakima, 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 Yakima for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Yakima'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 Yakima is $46,453 ( 36.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $126,205, experienced hygienists can earn up to $172,658.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,740
2025 BLS Actual
$122,150
2026 Current Est.
$126,205
2019–2027 Growth
+57.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,395 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Yakima, WA grew 47.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $82,740 in 2019 to $122,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $130,395. New graduates entering the Yakima job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yakima 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 Yakima
In Yakima, healthcare facilities that typically hire new grad physician assistants include primary care clinics and urgent care centers, both of which often feature structured onboarding for recent graduates. Specialists in surgical subspecialties may recruit through PA residency or fellowship programs, which can significantly enhance employment prospects. Credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification (PA-C), and a state license are essential in boosting starting physician assistant pay in Washington. Engaging in continuing education, such as a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties, can further elevate earning potential. For PAs in their first one to three years, understanding the state laws regulating scope of practice and the potential to collaborate with supervising physicians will be crucial for professional development and salary growth. Surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, often command higher salaries due to their responsibilities in first-assist billing, making this a strategic career path for new graduates in Yakima.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
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 Yakima. 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