Physician Assistant Salary in Sterling Heights, MI: $137,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Sterling Heights, MI earns a median $137,805/year (≈ $66.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Sterling Heights's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $147,859 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sterling Heights, Michigan, the 2026 median annual salary for physician assistants is projected at $137,805, slightly below the national median of $140,391. The estimated salary range for this role varies significantly, with a lower threshold of $96,244 at the 10th percentile and an upper limit of $203,639 at the 90th percentile. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional living costs, reflecting the local salary dynamics for physician assistants. The choice of employment structure—whether working in a W-2 hospital setting or in a 1099 surgical practice—often influences compensation levels, with surgical roles frequently commanding higher salaries.
About the Sterling Heights Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,244 | $46.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,207 | $56.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,805 | $66.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,263 | $78.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,639 | $97.91 |
Median Salary Position
1.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sterling Heights
In Sterling Heights, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,395 (2026 est.). At $137,805, the local median is 1.84% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sterling Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sterling Heights Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Sterling Heights median: $137,805/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sterling Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $134,971 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -1.84% less |
Physician Assistants in Sterling Heights, MI earn a median of $137,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.84% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% above the Michigan state average of $134,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sterling Heights 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.
Sterling Heights, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $137,805 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,859 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
$110,192
2025 BLS Actual
$133,377
2026 Current Est.
$137,805
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sterling Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,689 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,625 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,377 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,380 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sterling Heights metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $110,192 (2019) to $133,377 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,380 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,188 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sterling Heights 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) | $96,244 – $118,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,207 – $137,805 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,805 – $164,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,263 – $203,639 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Sterling Heights
The job market for physician assistants in Sterling Heights includes 29 practitioners, with competitive salaries mainly found in surgical specialty practices and hospital systems offering W-2 positions. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, the purchasing power for PAs is somewhat enhanced, allowing for a fair standard of living. Surgical specialties, especially orthopedics and cardiothoracic fields, typically offer the highest pay due to the specific demands and first-assist billing opportunities they present. Factors such as call coverage, RVU productivity bonuses, and case volume substantially affect compensation disparities across specialties. To maximize pay in this market, PAs should consider seeking roles in high-demand specialties, negotiating contracts effectively, and exploring opportunities for additional certifications or training that can position them for advancement in these lucrative areas.
More salary data for Sterling Heights, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Sterling Heights, MI in 2026?
Is Sterling Heights, MI a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Sterling Heights?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Sterling Heights?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Sterling Heights?
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 $133,377 for physician assistantsin the Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights 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