Physician Assistant Salary in Lowell, MA: $152,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Lowell, MA earns a median $152,959/year (≈ $73.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Lowell's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $140,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Lowell, Massachusetts, can expect an impressive median annual salary of $152,959, which is about 8.95% higher than the national median of $140,391. The local salary range, from $114,505 at the 10th percentile to $220,016 at the 90th percentile, reflects a competitive market likely influenced by the demand for both surgical and primary care specialties. As Lowell's healthcare landscape evolves, the disparity between salaries for surgical versus primary care roles highlights the robust opportunities for PAs specializing in areas like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where compensation tends to lean towards the higher end of the spectrum. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, which play a vital role in establishing the area's compensation standards.
About the Lowell Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,505 | $55.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,022 | $65.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,959 | $73.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,497 | $90.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,016 | $105.78 |
Median Salary Position
8.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lowell
In Lowell, MA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,511 (2026 est.). At $152,959, the local median is 8.95% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lowell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lowell Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Lowell median: $152,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lowell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $152,502 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +8.95% more |
Physician Assistants in Lowell, MA earn a median of $152,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $152,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lowell has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lowell, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,959 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,976 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,310
2025 BLS Actual
$148,044
2026 Current Est.
$152,959
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,145 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,044 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lowell metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $122,310 (2019) to $148,044 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,727 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lowell 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) | $114,505 – $137,022 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,022 – $152,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,959 – $188,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,497 – $220,016 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Lowell
In the current market, Lowell employs 29 physician assistants, indicating a concentrated yet competitive job environment. With a cost of living index of 108.5, salaries here may appear higher than the national average, but when accounting for living expenses, the purchasing power can vary. Employers that typically offer the most substantial compensation packages include local hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments. It’s important to consider how factors such as first-assist case volume, call coverage, RVU productivity bonuses, and the differences in employment structures between hospitals and private practices impact overall earnings. For those looking to maximize their pay in Lowell, targeting surgical specialties and seeking hospital employment may yield better financial outcomes compared to primary care or urgent care settings.
More salary data for Lowell, 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 $148,044 for physician assistantsin the Lowell 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 Lowell 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