Physician Assistant Salary in Waterford, MI: $131,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Waterford, MI earns a median $131,720/year (≈ $63.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Waterford's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $141,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterford, MI, the market for physician assistants reflects a notable difference based on specialty focus, with a projected median annual salary of $131,720 for 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $140,391, highlighting a regional variance in compensation. The local salary range extends from $99,077 at the 10th percentile to $184,211 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the diverse opportunities within this profession. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, which are particularly relevant in a city with a cost of living index at 93.2. Overall, Waterford presents a stable job market for physician assistants, where surgical specialties like orthopedics may command higher salaries compared to primary care.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,077 | $47.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,044 | $56.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,720 | $63.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,396 | $76.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,211 | $88.57 |
Median Salary Position
6.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterford
In Waterford, MI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,134 (2026 est.). At $131,720, the local median is 6.18% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterford Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Waterford median: $131,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $134,959 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -6.18% less |
Physician Assistants in Waterford, MI earn a median of $131,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.18% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $134,959.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterford 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.
Waterford, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $131,720 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,326
2025 BLS Actual
$127,487
2026 Current Est.
$131,720
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,326 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,263 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,023 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,989 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,487 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,093 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterford metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $105,326 (2019) to $127,487 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,767 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterford 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) | $99,077 – $118,044 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,044 – $131,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,720 – $159,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,396 – $184,211 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Waterford
With 16 physician assistants currently employed in Waterford, the local job market remains competitive yet also tempered by the cost of living. The lower CoL index suggests that take-home purchasing power may be more favorable than in higher-cost areas, promising a more affordable lifestyle for PAs. Employers like hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly those focused on orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer some of the most lucrative positions. Factors influencing salary variability include the specialty practiced, volume of first-assist cases, call responsibilities, and whether PAs are in hospital employment or private practice 1099 setups. PAs looking to maximize their compensation in Waterford should consider pursuing additional certifications, negotiating for RVU-based bonuses, or engaging in locum tenens opportunities to leverage higher hourly rates while maintaining flexibility.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Waterford?
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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 $127,487 for physician assistantsin the Waterford 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 Waterford 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