Physician Assistant Salary in Burlington, IA: $131,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Burlington, IA earns a median $131,826/year (≈ $63.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $145,825 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Burlington, Iowa, is projected to reach a median annual income of $131,826. This figure, while competitive, is about 6.10% lower than the national average of $140,391. The salary range for physician assistants in this region varies significantly, from approximately $101,716 at the 10th percentile to about $174,291 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the influence of specialty areas and practice settings. These local estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living and market conditions, which are important factors in understanding compensation trends. Surgical specialties typically yield higher salaries compared to primary care roles, indicating a dynamic work environment for PAs in Burlington.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,716 | $48.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,528 | $57.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,826 | $63.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,278 | $74.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,291 | $83.79 |
Median Salary Position
6.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,575 (2026 est.). At $131,826, the local median is 6.1% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Burlington median: $131,826/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $137,319 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -6.10% less |
Physician Assistants in Burlington, IA earn a median of $131,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $137,319.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $131,826 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,825 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,411
2025 BLS Actual
$127,590
2026 Current Est.
$131,826
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,411 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,115 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,203 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $105,411 (2019) to $127,590 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,203 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,792 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $101,716 – $119,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,528 – $131,826 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,826 – $155,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,278 – $174,291 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Burlington
Burlington's job market currently employs just four physician assistants, which suggests a specialized and possibly competitive field for professionals. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, the purchasing power is slightly below the national average, meaning that salaries may stretch further despite being lower than broader averages. Among local employers, surgical specialty practices and hospital systems tend to pay the most, especially for positions that require first-assisting in surgeries, which can command higher reimbursements. The variation in pay levels often arises from factors such as the complexity of cases, call coverage requirements, and the differences between W-2 hospital employment and flexible 1099 locum tenens arrangements. For those seeking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Burlington, focusing on high-demand specialties, gaining surgical first-assist experience, and considering hospital versus private practice positions may enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 $127,590 for physician assistantsin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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