Physician Assistant Salary in Lawrence, IN: $125,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Lawrence, IN earns a median $125,573/year (≈ $60.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $137,539 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, physician assistants in Lawrence, Indiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $125,573. This figure, informed by localized estimates based on 2025 BLS data, places the salary range between $97,491 at the 10th percentile and $174,927 at the 90th percentile. Such compensation reflects not only the foundational healthcare roles these professionals play but also the impact of the first-assist billing model particularly prevalent in surgical settings. This billing method aligns well for PAs working in high-demand specialties, whose salaries can outpace the national average of $140,391 for physician assistants, despite a local market that tends to lag slightly behind. The unique job market in Lawrence creates competitive opportunities, especially for surgical PAs, elevating their earning potential.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,491 | $46.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,348 | $54.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,573 | $60.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,451 | $73.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,927 | $84.10 |
Median Salary Position
10.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, IN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,436 (2026 est.). At $125,573, the local median is 10.55% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $125,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $131,215 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -10.55% less |
Physician Assistants in Lawrence, IN earn a median of $125,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.55% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.30% below the Indiana state average of $131,215.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence 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.
Lawrence, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $125,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,539 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,411
2025 BLS Actual
$121,538
2026 Current Est.
$125,573
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,411 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,211 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,297 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,538 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,742 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $100,411 (2019) to $121,538 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,742 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,331 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $97,491 – $114,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,348 – $125,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,573 – $152,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,451 – $174,927 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Lawrence
The demand for physician assistants in Lawrence is supported by a workforce consisting of 10 PAs, which indicates a relatively modest employment landscape. The cost of living index sits at 91.3, suggesting that overall living expenses are below the national average, which can translate to greater purchasing power for those in this profession. Among local employers, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, offer the highest pay, benefiting from first-assist case volumes and procedures that generate higher revenue. The earning disparities often stem from factors such as specialty focus, practice settings (hospital employment versus private 1099 gigs), and RVU productivity. To maximize compensation, PAs should consider positions in high-demand specialties, pursue additional training or certifications, and actively negotiate salaries to align with their breadth of skills and experience within the Lawrence market.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 $121,538 for physician assistantsin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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