Physician Assistant Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $122,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $122,518/year (≈ $58.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $137,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated physician assistant salary in Elizabethtown, KY, reaches $122,518, reflecting the local market's nuances driven by specialization types. The overall salary range spans from $89,169 at the 10th percentile to $171,070 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on factors such as practice area and experience level. These figures are shaped by data derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional cost disparities. With a median that falls below the national average of $140,391, prospective PAs may find more lucrative opportunities in surgical specialties compared to primary care choices within the Elizabethtown job market.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,169 | $42.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,267 | $51.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,518 | $58.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,023 | $68.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,070 | $82.24 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,901 (2026 est.). At $122,518, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabethtown Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $122,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,402 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -12.73% less |
Physician Assistants in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $122,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $125,402.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $122,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,198 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,130
2025 BLS Actual
$118,581
2026 Current Est.
$122,518
2019–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,467 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,359 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 9.7% from $108,130 (2019) to $118,581 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,455 (17.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $89,169 – $107,267 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,267 – $122,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,518 – $142,023 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,023 – $171,070 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Elizabethtown
There are currently five physician assistants working in Elizabethtown, which illustrates a compact yet focused local workforce in the healthcare sector. The cost of living index stands at 89.3, indicating a lower-than-average expense profile, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Hospitals and specialty practices, especially in surgical fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, are among the top-paying employers, while emergency departments and urgent care clinics also contribute to the diverse opportunities. The salary spread is primarily influenced by specialty, case volume, and employment structure—where hospital employees typically enjoy more stability, whereas 1099 contract PAs might chase higher pay through performance-based incentives. To maximize earnings in this market, PAs should consider roles that emphasize surgical assistance or emergency care, where demand aligns with higher compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $118,581 for physician assistantsin the Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown 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