Physician Assistant Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $133,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $133,017/year (≈ $63.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $136,990 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Des Plaines, Illinois, can anticipate a median annual salary of $133,017, reflecting a slight dip when compared to the national figure of $140,391. The local salary range extends from $98,095 at the 10th percentile to $183,579 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market influenced by specialty differences. Notably, surgical specialties often secure compensation at the higher end of this scale compared to primary care roles, shaping a more favorable economic environment for PAs with surgical backgrounds. These salary insights are based on data derived from 2025 BLS estimates and regional cost adjustments, providing valuable context for those considering opportunities in Des Plaines.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,095 | $47.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,827 | $55.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,017 | $63.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,497 | $76.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,579 | $88.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,484 (2026 est.). At $133,017, the local median is 5.25% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $133,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $137,557 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -5.25% less |
Physician Assistants in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $133,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $137,557.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $133,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,990 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,364
2025 BLS Actual
$128,743
2026 Current Est.
$133,017
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,191 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $106,364 (2019) to $128,743 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,069 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $98,095 – $114,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,827 – $133,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,017 – $159,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,497 – $183,579 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Des Plaines
Employment for physician assistants in Des Plaines stands at just twelve individuals, which highlights a localized job market with limited but potentially lucrative opportunities. The cost-of-living index, recorded at 97.1, suggests that while salaries are somewhat below the national average, the purchasing power remains competitive due to lower living expenses. Top-paying employers in the area include hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where PAs may receive performance bonuses tied to RVU productivity. Factors such as specialty focus, first-assist case volume, and call coverage significantly influence salary disparities. To maximize earnings in this market, PAs should seek positions in surgical settings, pursue continuing education for specialization, and consider hospital employment over private practice options that might offer less stability.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
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 $128,743 for physician assistantsin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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