Physician Assistant Salary in Wooster, OH: $128,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Wooster, OH earns a median $128,499/year (≈ $61.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Wooster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $141,675 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the average physician assistant salary in Wooster, OH, is projected to be $128,499, reflecting the area's particular market dynamics compared to the national median of $140,391. Salary estimates for local PAs range from $101,628 at the 10th percentile to $177,288 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the income disparity often influenced by specialty types. Surgical specialties, particularly orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, command higher salaries due to the first-assist billing opportunities they offer, which contrasts with the compensation levels seen in primary care settings. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional living costs, and highlight the financial landscape for physician assistants working in the area.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,628 | $48.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,791 | $57.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,499 | $61.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,135 | $72.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,288 | $85.24 |
Median Salary Position
8.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wooster
In Wooster, OH, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,660 (2026 est.). At $128,499, the local median is 8.47% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wooster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wooster Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Wooster median: $128,499/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wooster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $132,747 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.47% less |
Physician Assistants in Wooster, OH earn a median of $128,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.47% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $132,747.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wooster has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wooster, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $128,499 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,675 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,751
2025 BLS Actual
$124,370
2026 Current Est.
$128,499
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,751 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,616 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,236 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,006 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wooster metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $102,751 (2019) to $124,370 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,014 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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) | $101,628 – $118,791 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,791 – $128,499 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,499 – $150,135 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,135 – $177,288 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Wooster
The Wooster job market currently employs only six physician assistants, indicating a tight labor pool and limited competition for roles. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, living expenses in Wooster are below the national average, which can enhance the take-home purchasing power of local salaries. Among employers, surgical specialty practices and hospital systems tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, especially for those in high-demand areas such as orthopedics. Factors such as first-assist case volume, call coverage, and productivity bonuses contribute to the notable variance between pay scales. To achieve the best possible earnings in Wooster, aspiring PAs should consider specializing in surgery or emergency medicine and seek positions with established hospital networks that provide structured benefits and salary incentives.
More salary data for Wooster, OH:
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 $124,370 for physician assistantsin the Wooster 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 Wooster 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