Physician Assistant Salary in Golden, CO: $127,953 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Golden, CO earns a median $127,953/year (≈ $61.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Golden's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $121,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Golden, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $127,953. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $140,391, reflecting a discrepancy of 8.86%. The range of physician assistant compensation here varies significantly, from a starting salary of $100,819 at the tenth percentile to as much as $170,632 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost factors, illustrating the specific economic conditions of Golden’s healthcare landscape. Given the increasing reliance on surgical first-assist models, positions in orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery tend to command higher rates, creating a competitive salary environment for physician assistants in Golden.
About the Golden Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,819 | $48.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,232 | $56.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,953 | $61.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,906 | $73.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,632 | $82.04 |
Median Salary Position
8.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Golden
In Golden, CO, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,813 (2026 est.). At $127,953, the local median is 8.86% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Golden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Golden Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Golden median: $127,953/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Golden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $139,079 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.86% less |
Physician Assistants in Golden, CO earn a median of $127,953 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $139,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Golden has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Golden, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,953 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,860 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,314
2025 BLS Actual
$123,841
2026 Current Est.
$127,953
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,166 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,762 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,953 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Golden metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $102,314 (2019) to $123,841 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,887 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Golden 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) | $100,819 – $117,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,232 – $127,953 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,953 – $151,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,906 – $170,632 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Golden
The job market for physician assistants in Golden comprises a tight-knit community, with only six PAs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 105, which suggests that while salaries may be robust, the local purchasing power may not stretch as far as in other regions. Among the best-paying opportunities are those within surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedic and cardiac surgery, where compensation often reflects the higher case volumes and first-assist billing capabilities. The variance in remuneration can also be influenced by factors such as the type of practice—hospital employment typically offers stable salaries, while private practice and locum tenens positions may provide additional financial flexibility. For aspiring PAs looking to maximize their earning potential in Golden, focusing on surgical specialties and seeking opportunities to negotiate RVU productivity bonuses may prove advantageous.
More salary data for Golden, 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 $123,841 for physician assistantsin the Golden 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 Golden 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