Physician Assistant Salary in Dickinson, ND: $126,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Dickinson, ND earns a median $126,293/year (≈ $60.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $137,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Dickinson, North Dakota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,293. This figure reflects the local market dynamics and the structural choice between hospital employment (W-2) versus working in surgical specialty practices (1099). Salary estimates show a range from $92,033 at the 10th percentile to as high as $176,479 at the 90th percentile. These projections are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living; thus, they highlight the unique local market conditions. Given these statistics, it's evident that positions in high-demand specialties such as surgery could significantly elevate compensation compared to traditional physician assistant roles.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,033 | $44.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,659 | $53.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,293 | $60.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,483 | $70.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,479 | $84.85 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,446 (2026 est.). At $126,293, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $126,293/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $129,134 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -10.04% less |
Physician Assistants in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $126,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $129,134.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $126,293 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,987
2025 BLS Actual
$122,235
2026 Current Est.
$126,293
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,987 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,803 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,326 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,356 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,235 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $100,987 (2019) to $122,235 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,499 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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) | $92,033 – $110,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,659 – $126,293 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,293 – $146,483 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,483 – $176,479 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Dickinson
The local job market in Dickinson consists of a small but steady workforce of four employed physician assistants, suggesting a tightly knit community that could advocate for competitive salaries. The cost of living index stands at 92, indicating that the purchasing power of a physician assistant's salary is relatively strong in Dickinson compared to the national average. Among the various employers, those in surgical practices, especially orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, may offer the highest remuneration. The gap in pay often correlates with specialty, procedural volume, and additional productivity bonuses. To optimize earnings in Dickinson, PAs should consider engaging in surgical first-assist roles or actively pursuing positions with RVU productivity incentives. Understanding the local healthcare landscape and specializing could significantly enhance their physician assistant pay in Dickinson, ND.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
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 $122,235 for physician assistantsin the Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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