Physician Assistant Salary in Laurel, MD: $145,766 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Laurel, MD earns a median $145,766/year (≈ $70.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $133,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Maryland, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants is estimated at $145,766 for 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the healthcare labor market when compared to the national figure of $140,391. With a salary range spanning from $111,495 at the 10th percentile to $200,726 at the 90th percentile, the data indicates significant variability based on factors such as practice type and specialty. These figures have been derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost realities, which are highlighted by the local cost of living index of 109.3. This indicates that while salaries are robust, they should be viewed in the context of Laurel's higher-than-average living expenses.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,495 | $53.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,499 | $63.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,766 | $70.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,987 | $84.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,726 | $96.50 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,231 (2026 est.). At $145,766, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Laurel median: $145,766/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $153,438 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +3.83% more |
Physician Assistants in Laurel, MD earn a median of $145,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $153,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $145,766 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,363 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,558
2025 BLS Actual
$141,082
2026 Current Est.
$145,766
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,808 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,183 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,834 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,054 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,082 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,766 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $116,558 (2019) to $141,082 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,047 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $111,495 – $131,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,499 – $145,766 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,766 – $175,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,987 – $200,726 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Laurel
The local job market for physician assistants in Laurel features only six individuals currently employed in this role, which emphasizes the competitive nature of available positions. The higher cost of living impacts the effective purchasing power of salaries, thus affecting take-home pay. Physician assistant pay in Laurel MD is likely to be strongest in W-2 employment settings such as hospital systems, where stability and benefits are typically more favorable. Specialty practices like surgical ortho and cardiothoracic tend to offer the highest compensation, with positions often providing revenue-sharing incentives and bonuses based on first-assist case volume. Those entering or currently working in the specialty fields should be attentive to the dynamics that govern pay, particularly the differences driven by call coverage requirements and productivity expectations. For maximizing earnings, pursuing additional training in high-demand specialties and considering options for locum tenens work can significantly enhance financial opportunities in this evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Laurel, MD:
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 $141,082 for physician assistantsin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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