Physician Assistant Salary in Wheaton, MD: $153,426 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Wheaton, MD earns a median $153,426/year (≈ $73.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $140,371 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Maryland, physician assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $153,426 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $140,391. This local compensation reflects a salary range from $109,080 to $212,261, showcasing how factors like specialization can influence earnings. In this region, surgical PAs benefit from first-assist billing models, often leading to higher remuneration compared to their peers in primary care and emergency medicine. Estimates utilized for these figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, illustrating that Wheaton's physician assistant salaries are competitive in the broader market context.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,080 | $52.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,754 | $63.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,426 | $73.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,278 | $88.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,261 | $102.05 |
Median Salary Position
9.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, MD, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,181 (2026 est.). At $153,426, the local median is 9.28% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheaton Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $153,426/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,391 | +9.28% more |
Physician Assistants in Wheaton, MD earn a median of $153,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% higher than the national median of $140,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheaton, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,426 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,371 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,683
2025 BLS Actual
$148,496
2026 Current Est.
$153,426
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,104 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,814 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,092 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,496 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,426 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,520 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $122,683 (2019) to $148,496 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,520 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,837 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $109,080 – $132,754 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,754 – $153,426 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,426 – $184,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,278 – $212,261 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Wheaton
The job market in Wheaton is relatively modest, with approximately 11 physician assistants employed in the area. Despite this limited pool, local salaries are tempered by a cost-of-living index of 109.3, which indicates higher living expenses compared to the national average. Employers such as hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and urgent care chains typically offer the most competitive pay. In Wheaton, the disparity in pay can often be attributed to several factors, including specialization—where surgical roles tend to command higher wages than those in primary care—and the potential for additional income through productivity bonuses and call coverage options. For those looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing opportunities in surgical settings or specializing further, while negotiating potential incentives, may prove beneficial in maximizing one’s physician assistant pay in Wheaton, MD.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 $148,496 for physician assistantsin the Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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