Physician Assistant Salary in Cambridge, MA: $143,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Cambridge, MA earns a median $143,624/year (≈ $69.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $132,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $143,624, which is slightly above the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this role is quite wide, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $99,641 and the top 10% commanding upwards of $202,065. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local economic conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. The dynamic between surgical and primary care specialties significantly influences earnings potential in Cambridge, where surgical positions typically offer higher compensation due to their billing structures and the increased demand for first-assist services in various medical settings.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,641 | $47.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,694 | $58.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,624 | $69.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,860 | $83.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,065 | $97.15 |
Median Salary Position
2.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,424 (2026 est.). At $143,624, the local median is 2.3% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $143,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $152,467 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +2.30% more |
Physician Assistants in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $143,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.30% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 5.80% below the Massachusetts state average of $152,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,624 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,372 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,845
2025 BLS Actual
$139,009
2026 Current Est.
$143,624
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,845 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,329 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,912 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,014 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,009 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $114,845 (2019) to $139,009 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,547 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $99,641 – $122,694 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,694 – $143,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,624 – $173,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,860 – $202,065 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Cambridge
As of now, there are 22 physician assistants employed in Cambridge, reflecting a local job market that is both niche and competitive. The cost of living index, set at 108.5, indicates that living expenses are above the national average, making the purchasing power of a physician assistant's salary a crucial consideration for job seekers. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices—such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery—tend to offer the most lucrative positions. Differences in pay often stem from variations in specialty, case volumes, call coverage commitments, and whether a PA works in hospital employment or a private practice setting. To maximize earning potential in this market, candidates should focus on gaining specialties that are in demand and negotiate contract terms that reflect their skills and the high cost of living in Cambridge.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
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 $139,009 for physician assistantsin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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