Physician Assistant Salary in Pontiac, MI: $130,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Pontiac, MI earns a median $130,340/year (≈ $62.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Pontiac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $139,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pontiac, Michigan, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $130,340. This figure illustrates a moderate divergence from the national median of $140,391, highlighting the localized nuances of compensation in the area. With salaries ranging from $95,887 to $179,592, prospective PAs in Pontiac can expect varying incomes largely driven by their specialty focus and the setting in which they are employed. Compensation in the region is influenced by factors such as the first-assist billing model, particularly in surgical practices, which tends to enhance the earning potential for those in high-demand specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, boosting the overall attractiveness of PA roles in the local market.
About the Pontiac Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,887 | $46.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,194 | $55.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,340 | $62.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,112 | $75.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,592 | $86.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pontiac
In Pontiac, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,705 (2026 est.). At $130,340, the local median is 7.16% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pontiac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pontiac Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Pontiac median: $130,340/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pontiac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $134,928 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -7.16% less |
Physician Assistants in Pontiac, MI earn a median of $130,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.16% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $134,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pontiac 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.
Pontiac, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $130,340 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$104,223
2025 BLS Actual
$126,152
2026 Current Est.
$130,340
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pontiac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,223 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,712 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,798 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,668 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pontiac metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $104,223 (2019) to $126,152 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,668 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,445 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pontiac 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) | $95,887 – $115,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,194 – $130,340 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,340 – $156,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,112 – $179,592 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Pontiac
The local job market employs only 12 physician assistants, making the competition for positions significant while also highlighting potential specialization gaps. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, which is slightly below the national average, the purchasing power for PAs in Pontiac can be favorable, despite the average salaries. Among local employers, hospital systems tend to offer more competitive salaries, especially for surgical PAs who enjoy additional revenue opportunities through procedure billing. Factors impacting pay disparity include specialty type, first-assist case volume, and employment structure, where W-2 hospital roles often provide stability and benefits compared to 1099 contracts available through locum agencies. To maximize income potential, physician assistants should consider securing positions within surgical specialties or hospital systems, where both base salary and productivity bonuses create substantial earning opportunities.
More salary data for Pontiac, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Pontiac, MI in 2026?
Is Pontiac, MI a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Pontiac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Pontiac?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Pontiac?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $126,152 for physician assistantsin the Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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