Physician Assistant Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $123,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $123,472/year (≈ $59.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $138,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Nicholasville is projected to reach a median annual figure of $123,472, providing valuable insight into the local employment landscape. This compensation is situated within a salary range from $91,460 at the 10th percentile to $162,303 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in specialization and practice settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, are factors to consider for those weighing career options between W-2 hospital positions and 1099 surgical practices. Nicholasville’s job market for physician assistants is shaped by these structural choices, which significantly impact earning potential.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,460 | $43.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,305 | $52.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,472 | $59.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,273 | $69.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,303 | $78.03 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,843 (2026 est.). At $123,472, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $123,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,352 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -12.05% less |
Physician Assistants in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $123,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $125,352.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville 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.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $123,472 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,731
2025 BLS Actual
$119,504
2026 Current Est.
$123,472
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,731 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,883 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,824 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,571 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $98,731 (2019) to $119,504 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,571 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,840 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $91,460 – $109,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,305 – $123,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,472 – $144,273 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,273 – $162,303 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Nicholasville
The job market in Nicholasville, KY, currently employs six physician assistants, highlighting a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living index in the area stands at 89.3, which is below the national average and allows for an increased purchasing power with the annual salary figures. While hospital systems typically pay W-2 salaries that provide stability, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, can offer higher compensation for first-assist roles. Factors that drive the pay spectrum include the volume of first-assist cases, call coverage requirements, and productivity bonuses tied to relative value units (RVUs). For those pursuing maximum pay, seeking opportunities in high-demand specialties or negotiating for performance incentives will likely yield the best results in the Nicholasville market.
More salary data for Nicholasville, 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 $119,504 for physician assistantsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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