Physician Assistant Salary in Muskegon, MI: $136,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Muskegon, MI earns a median $136,620/year (≈ $65.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Muskegon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $147,667 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Muskegon, Michigan, demonstrate a strong specialization trend that notably impacts their earnings. With a median annual salary projected for 2026 at $136,620, the pay scale ranges from $116,855 at the 10th percentile to $155,218 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that while the local salaries exhibit a slight variance compared to the national median of $140,391, the specialized fields of surgical PAs tend to command higher wages than those in primary care settings. Understanding this specialty gradient is crucial for prospective PAs as they evaluate job markets in Muskegon, especially given the role that procedural involvement and case volume play in compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116,855 | $56.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,194 | $65.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,620 | $65.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,620 | $65.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,218 | $74.63 |
Median Salary Position
2.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muskegon
In Muskegon, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,363 (2026 est.). At $136,620, the local median is 2.69% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Muskegon: You'd be above the median
How Muskegon Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Muskegon median: $136,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muskegon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $135,000 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.69% less |
Physician Assistants in Muskegon, MI earn a median of $136,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.69% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.20% above the Michigan state average of $135,000.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muskegon has a cost of living 7.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muskegon, MI has a cost-of-living index of 92.519 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $136,620 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,667 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,840
2025 BLS Actual
$132,230
2026 Current Est.
$136,620
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Muskegon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muskegon metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 20.4% from $109,840 (2019) to $132,230 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,316 (28.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muskegon 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) | $116,855 – $135,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,194 – $136,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,620 – $136,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,620 – $155,218 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Muskegon
Locally, there are approximately 110 physician assistants employed in Muskegon, reflecting a competitive job market for this profession. With a cost of living index of 92.519, the area's affordability enhances the purchasing power of PAs, making the salary structure more appealing. Leading employers in Muskegon include hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and urgent care facilities, with surgical assignments often offering the highest compensation. This disparity in pay largely arises from factors such as case complexity, RVU productivity bonuses, and variations between W-2 hospital employment versus private practice structures. To maximize earnings within this market, new graduates and current PAs should consider pursuing specialties that align with high demand, explore roles within surgical disciplines, and negotiate effectively by highlighting their skills and experience in patient management and collaboration.
More salary data for Muskegon, MI:
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 $132,230 for physician assistantsin the Muskegon 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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