Physician Assistant Salary in Louisville, KY: $136,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Louisville, KY earns a median $136,683/year (≈ $65.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $153,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, physician assistants can expect a median annual salary of $136,683 in 2026. This local figure represents a slight decrease compared to the national median of $140,391, reflecting the area's unique compensation dynamics for healthcare professionals. Salaries for PAs in this market range from $92,316 at the lower end to $198,047 at the upper tier, indicating the significant variations in pay based on specialization and experience. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted by regional price parities to account for the local cost structure. Notably, surgical physician assistants, particularly those involved in first-assist roles, often command higher salaries due to their critical contributions in surgical settings, shaping the overall compensation landscape in Louisville.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,316 | $44.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,340 | $55.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,683 | $65.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,249 | $80.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,047 | $95.22 |
Median Salary Position
2.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,731 (2026 est.). At $136,683, the local median is 2.64% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Louisville median: $136,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,397 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.64% less |
Physician Assistants in Louisville, KY earn a median of $136,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $125,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville 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.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $136,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,060 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,295
2025 BLS Actual
$132,291
2026 Current Est.
$136,683
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,295 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,586 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,962 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $109,295 (2019) to $132,291 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,926 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $92,316 – $115,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,340 – $136,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,683 – $168,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,249 – $198,047 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Louisville
The job market for physician assistants in Louisville is bolstered by around 132 professionals currently employed in the area, suggesting a healthy demand for this role. The cost-of-living index sits at 89.3, which is below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of salaries for PAs in Louisville. Among the various employers, hospital systems typically provide the most lucrative positions, alongside surgical specialty practices in areas like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. The difference between lower and higher pay rates can often be attributed to the specialty types, with surgical PAs earning more due to their involvement in high-volume first-assist cases and call coverage commitments. To maximize compensation, newcomers to the field may consider opportunities with hospital employment or additional roles in high-demand specialties, while established PAs might negotiate for RVU productivity bonuses or 1099 contract arrangements to leverage their skill sets effectively.
More salary data for Louisville, 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 $132,291 for physician assistantsin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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