Physician Assistant Salary in Tualatin, OR: $146,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Tualatin, OR earns a median $146,571/year (≈ $70.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Tualatin's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $142,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Tualatin, Oregon, the projected 2026 median annual salary for physician assistants is $146,571, representing an increase over national figures. The salary range highlights diverse earning potential, from $114,644 at the 10th percentile to $204,996 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, indicate that physician assistants in Tualatin can expect a competitive pay scale relative to national benchmarks, which show a median salary of $140,391. This positive outlook suggests a strong job market for physician assistants in the area, influenced by local healthcare dynamics and employment settings, particularly in the distinction between W-2 hospital employment versus 1099 compensation models in surgical practices.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,644 | $55.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,212 | $64.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,571 | $70.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,113 | $81.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,996 | $98.56 |
Median Salary Position
4.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tualatin
In Tualatin, OR, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,352 (2026 est.). At $146,571, the local median is 4.4% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tualatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tualatin Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Tualatin median: $146,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tualatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $152,519 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +4.40% more |
Physician Assistants in Tualatin, OR earn a median of $146,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $152,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tualatin has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tualatin, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,571 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,857 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,201
2025 BLS Actual
$141,861
2026 Current Est.
$146,571
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,201 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,469 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,879 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,557 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tualatin metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $117,201 (2019) to $141,861 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,236 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tualatin 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) | $114,644 – $134,212 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,212 – $146,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,571 – $170,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,113 – $204,996 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Tualatin
Currently, there are five physician assistants employed in Tualatin, which reflects a niche job market that is evolving to meet local healthcare demands. With a cost-of-living index of 102.6, the purchasing power for salaries, while appearing favorable, requires strategic planning for residents. Employers in Tualatin tend to offer higher pay in specialized settings such as surgical practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where first-assist roles lead to increased revenue through case volume and productivity bonuses. Conversely, primary care and urgent care settings typically offer lower compensation. To maximize earnings in the Tualatin market, PAs should consider enhancing their skill set in high-demand specialties, exploring employment opportunities with robust patient load structures, and negotiating contract terms that prioritize RVU productivity and call coverage incentives, positioning themselves favorably in the competitive physician assistant pay landscape in Tualatin OR.
More salary data for Tualatin, OR:
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 $141,861 for physician assistantsin the Tualatin 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 Tualatin 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