Physician Assistant Salary in Ruston, LA: $131,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Ruston, LA earns a median $131,854/year (≈ $63.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $146,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected figures indicate that the physician assistant salary in Ruston, Louisiana, will reach a median of $131,854 in 2026. This amount is slightly below the national median of $140,391, reflecting various regional economic factors. Ruston's salary range for physician assistants spans from $102,654 at the 10th percentile to $174,704 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates are derived from state-level BLS data and regional price parities, making them reflective of economic adjustments unique to this area. The first-assist billing model in surgical settings significantly impacts compensation levels, contributing to the higher-end earnings within specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. Given the specialized training and increasing demand for physician assistants in Ruston, the local job market presents unique opportunities for growth and advancement.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,654 | $49.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,802 | $57.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,854 | $63.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,544 | $74.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,704 | $83.99 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,050 (2026 est.). At $131,854, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Ruston median: $131,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $137,062 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -6.08% less |
Physician Assistants in Ruston, LA earn a median of $131,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $137,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $131,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,433
2025 BLS Actual
$127,617
2026 Current Est.
$131,854
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,347 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,113 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,231 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $105,433 (2019) to $127,617 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,798 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $102,654 – $119,802 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,802 – $131,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,854 – $155,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,544 – $174,704 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Ruston
The local job landscape for physician assistants consists of only four employed PAs, suggesting a relatively tight market. Ruston has a low cost-of-living index of 90.3, which enhances the purchasing power of those earning competitive salaries. Employers such as surgical specialty practices and hospital systems tend to offer the most lucrative compensation packages. Factors influencing the variance in pay include specialty focus, first-assist case volumes, and call coverage responsibilities. Those in surgical roles usually command higher salaries compared to their counterparts in primary care. To maximize earning potential in Ruston, PAs should consider aligning with higher-paying specialties and leveraging productivity bonuses often tied to RVUs. Developing skills in high-demand areas can lead to increased job security and salary growth, especially as the healthcare landscape evolves to accommodate team-based practice models.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 $127,617 for physician assistantsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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