Physician Assistant Salary in Watertown, NY: $133,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Watertown, NY earns a median $133,148/year (≈ $64.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $151,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a physician assistant salary in Watertown, NY, is projected to reach a median of $133,148, which highlights the competitive pay landscape in the region. The compensation for this role ranges from $105,903 at the 10th percentile to $165,612 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a variety of positions and specialties within the local market. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, is influenced significantly by the first-assist billing model predominantly utilized in surgical settings. As employers in Watertown increasingly recognize the value of surgical physician assistants, particularly in specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, this pay structure is expected to drive further demand for skilled PAs in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,903 | $50.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,695 | $59.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,148 | $64.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,404 | $74.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,612 | $79.62 |
Median Salary Position
5.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, NY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,709 (2026 est.). At $133,148, the local median is 5.16% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Watertown median: $133,148/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $142,405 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -5.16% less |
Physician Assistants in Watertown, NY earn a median of $133,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.16% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.50% below the New York state average of $142,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 12.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, NY has a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $133,148 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,380
2025 BLS Actual
$128,870
2026 Current Est.
$133,148
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,569 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 7.9% from $119,380 (2019) to $128,870 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,569 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,189 (15.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $105,903 – $123,695 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,695 – $133,148 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,148 – $155,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,404 – $165,612 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Watertown
The local job market is bolstered by approximately 60 physician assistants currently employed in Watertown, indicating a stable demand for healthcare providers. With a cost-of-living index of 87.69—below the national average—the purchasing power for physician assistants in the area is enhanced, making compensation levels more attractive. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for roles involving first-assist duties and higher case volumes. The variation in physician assistant pay in Watertown is often driven by specialty area—surgical roles generally commanding more than those in primary care—along with factors such as call coverage and productivity bonuses. To maximize earning potential in this market, PAs should consider seeking positions in high-demand specialties, negotiating for benefits tied to productivity, and exploring opportunities with hospital systems that may offer competitive salaries along with robust benefits packages.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
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 $128,870 for physician assistantsin the Watertown 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