Physician Assistant Salary in Norton Shores, MI: $139,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Norton Shores, MI earns a median $139,948/year (≈ $67.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Norton Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $150,159 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in Norton Shores is $139,948, slightly below the national median of $140,391. This salary estimate reflects the local dynamics shaped by the first-assist billing model, particularly in surgical specialties where PAs often see higher compensation for their roles. The salary range for physician assistants in the area spans from $109,279 at the 10th percentile to roughly $180,987 at the 90th percentile, offering a spectrum that corresponds to various levels of experience and specialty practice. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal that while Norton Shores offers competitive salaries, local market practices are essential to understanding wider earning potential in the area.
About the Norton Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,279 | $52.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,232 | $59.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,948 | $67.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,344 | $78.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,987 | $87.02 |
Median Salary Position
0.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norton Shores
In Norton Shores, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,708 (2026 est.). At $139,948, the local median is 0.32% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norton Shores: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norton Shores Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Norton Shores median: $139,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norton Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $134,955 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -0.32% less |
Physician Assistants in Norton Shores, MI earn a median of $139,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.32% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.70% above the Michigan state average of $134,955.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norton Shores 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.
Norton Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $139,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,159 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,906
2025 BLS Actual
$135,451
2026 Current Est.
$139,948
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Norton Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,146 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,612 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norton Shores metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $111,906 (2019) to $135,451 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,688 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norton Shores 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) | $109,279 – $124,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,232 – $139,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,948 – $162,344 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,344 – $180,987 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Norton Shores
The job market for physician assistants in Norton Shores consists of just four employed PAs, indicating a relatively small but specialized workforce, particularly in surgical and emergency settings. The cost of living index stands at 93.2, which suggests that healthcare professionals in this region can maintain a comfortable lifestyle compared to the national average. Institutions like hospital systems usually pay more than primary care offices, while surgical specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery tend to offer the highest compensation. Factors influencing salary discrepancies include case volume for first-assists, on-call requirements, and RVU productivity bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Norton Shores, targeting positions in surgical specialties and considering employment structures—whether hospital-based or private practice—can be effective strategies for increasing their earning potential.
More salary data for Norton Shores, 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 $135,451 for physician assistantsin the Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores 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