Physician Assistant Salary in Franklin, IN: $129,036 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Franklin, IN earns a median $129,036/year (≈ $62.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $141,332 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Franklin, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $129,036, reflecting local estimates informed by 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. Salaries for this role range from $95,327 at the lower end to $173,723 at the high end, indicating a substantial variance in compensation based on experience, specialty, and employment setting. This salary structure must be viewed in the context of the first-assist billing model, which allows surgical PAs to significantly elevate their earning potential. Given Franklin's focus on surgical specialties, those working in hospitals and surgical practices may command higher wages, ultimately influencing the overall job market for physician assistants in the area.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,327 | $45.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,918 | $54.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,036 | $62.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,373 | $73.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,723 | $83.52 |
Median Salary Position
8.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, IN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,396 (2026 est.). At $129,036, the local median is 8.09% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Franklin median: $129,036/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $131,268 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.09% less |
Physician Assistants in Franklin, IN earn a median of $129,036 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.70% below the Indiana state average of $131,268.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $129,036 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,332 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,180
2025 BLS Actual
$124,890
2026 Current Est.
$129,036
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,057 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,701 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,504 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,036 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $103,180 (2019) to $124,890 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,320 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,140 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $95,327 – $113,918 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,918 – $129,036 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,036 – $153,373 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,373 – $173,723 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Franklin
In terms of local job dynamics, Franklin employs six physician assistants, an indication of the need for these roles amid a relatively low cost-of-living index of 91.3. This means that although salaries are slightly below the national average, the affordability of living in Franklin enhances purchasing power for PAs. Employers that pay competitively include hospital systems, especially those with surgical specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic practices, which typically offer the highest compensation due to increased case volumes and potential for RVU bonuses. Variants in pay can often be linked to specific factors such as the type of specialty, call coverage requirements, and whether the PA is part of a W-2 employed structure or operates as a 1099 locum. To maximize earnings in Franklin's market, prospective physician assistants should seek opportunities in high-demand specialties, demonstrate value through first-assist capabilities, and consider negotiating contracts that highlight their contributions to practice productivity.
More salary data for Franklin, IN:
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 $124,890 for physician assistantsin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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