Physician Assistant Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $139,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $139,689/year (≈ $67.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $138,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is estimated at $139,689, slightly trailing the national median of $140,391. This local figure spans a salary range from $108,476 at the 10th percentile to $169,434 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a competitive market for PAs in the area. These insights, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect a job market influenced by the first-assist billing model prevalent in surgical settings, allowing PAs to capitalize on higher compensation, particularly in specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. With a growing demand for healthcare providers in Colorado Springs, physician assistants can expect robust opportunities for career advancement and salary growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,476 | $52.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,929 | $61.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,689 | $67.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,162 | $73.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,434 | $81.46 |
Median Salary Position
0.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,958 (2026 est.). At $139,689, the local median is 0.5% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be above the median
How Colorado Springs Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $139,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $138,994 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -0.50% less |
Physician Assistants in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $139,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.50% above the Colorado state average of $138,994.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,689 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,708 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,050
2025 BLS Actual
$135,200
2026 Current Est.
$139,689
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,326 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 39.3% from $97,050 (2019) to $135,200 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,276 (48.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $108,476 – $126,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,929 – $139,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,689 – $153,162 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,162 – $169,434 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Colorado Springs
The employment landscape for physician assistants in Colorado Springs comprises approximately 440 individuals, indicating a strong local job market. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 100.707, PAs in the area may find their purchasing power relatively stable despite a slightly higher cost of living than the national average. Among various employers, hospital systems typically offer more competitive wages, while surgical specialty practices, such as those in orthopedics and cardiothoracic care, often provide substantial additional compensation through performance-based incentives. Factors contributing to the salary range include specialty, first-assist case volume, call coverage demands, and the differences between hospital employment and private practice structures. To maximize compensation, PAs should consider negotiating for RVU productivity bonuses and seeking roles in high-demand specialties or lucrative practice environments, taking advantage of Colorado Springs' diverse healthcare offerings.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
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
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 $135,200 for physician assistantsin the Colorado Springs 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
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