Physician Assistant Salary in Sitka, AK: $137,615 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Sitka, AK earns a median $137,615/year (≈ $66.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Sitka's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $129,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $137,615, physician assistants in Sitka, Alaska, earn competitive compensation compared to their peers nationwide. Salary projections indicate a range from $109,444 at the lower end to $180,164 for those at the top of the market. These estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors and the unique cost of living in Sitka. Surgical physician assistants, particularly those involved in first-assist billing, typically command higher salaries, reflecting both the complexity of their roles and the surgical case volume available in the area. Sitka's healthcare market values these specializations, creating significant earning potential for skilled PAs.
About the Sitka Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,444 | $52.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,712 | $60.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,615 | $66.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,995 | $77.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,164 | $86.61 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sitka
In Sitka, AK, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,720 (2026 est.). At $137,615, the local median is 1.98% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sitka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sitka Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Sitka median: $137,615/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sitka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $148,934 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -1.98% less |
Physician Assistants in Sitka, AK earn a median of $137,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $148,934.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sitka has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sitka, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,615 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,703 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,040
2025 BLS Actual
$133,193
2026 Current Est.
$137,615
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sitka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,108 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,518 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,449 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,034 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,615 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sitka metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $110,040 (2019) to $133,193 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,144 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sitka 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $109,444 – $126,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,712 – $137,615 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,615 – $160,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,995 – $180,164 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Sitka
Despite only five physician assistants currently employed in Sitka, the local job market displays a robust environment for practitioners. The cost-of-living index sits at 106.1, surpassing the national average, which affects the local purchasing power of salaries. Employers such as hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments often offer the most lucrative pay, with surgical PAs benefitting from additional incentives based on case volume and performance metrics. The disparity in salaries across different practices stems from factors like specialty type, the structure of employment (W-2 vs. 1099 arrangements), and the ability to generate revenue through productivity bonuses. PAs seeking to maximize their earnings in this market should consider aligning themselves with high-demand specialties and negotiating contracts that reflect their value within the healthcare landscape of Sitka.
More salary data for Sitka, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Sitka?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $133,193 for physician assistantsin the Sitka metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sitka is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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