Physician Assistant Salary in Bay City, MI: $133,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Bay City, MI earns a median $133,992/year (≈ $64.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Bay City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $143,768 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Bay City, MI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,992, reflecting the community’s choice between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 surgical practice structures. The salary ranges from $101,180 at the 10th percentile to $178,565 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projections and take into account local economic conditions and cost adjustments for the Bay City area. This city’s job market for physician assistants, though modest with only 8 practitioners employed currently, presents various opportunities across healthcare settings that shape earning potential and career growth.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,180 | $48.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,911 | $57.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,992 | $64.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,743 | $75.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,565 | $85.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bay City
In Bay City, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,385 (2026 est.). At $133,992, the local median is 4.56% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bay City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bay City Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Bay City median: $133,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bay City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $134,936 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.56% less |
Physician Assistants in Bay City, MI earn a median of $133,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.56% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $134,936.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bay City has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bay City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $133,992 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,768 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,143
2025 BLS Actual
$129,686
2026 Current Est.
$133,992
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,686 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bay City metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $107,143 (2019) to $129,686 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,297 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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) | $101,180 – $119,911 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,911 – $133,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,992 – $157,743 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,743 – $178,565 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Bay City
In the analysis of physician assistant pay in Bay City, MI, the local job market is relatively small, but its dynamics can significantly affect overall compensation. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, Bay City provides a more affordable environment, potentially increasing take-home purchasing power for physician assistants. Hospitals and surgical specialty practices generally offer higher salaries compared to primary care or urgent care settings. The disparity in earnings often arises from the specialization of roles, case volumes, and the nuances of facility types, such as first-assist roles in surgical environments commanding premium rates. For those looking to maximize earnings, focusing on specialty practice areas, negotiating for RVU productivity bonuses, and considering employment offers from hospital systems can lead to improved financial outcomes in this specific market. Emphasizing specialized skills and finding positions that leverage the collaborative nature of PA practice under the Optimal Team Practice model can further enhance salary prospects in Bay City.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $129,686 for physician assistantsin the Bay City 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 Bay City 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