Physician Assistant Salary in Allentown, PA: $133,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Allentown, PA earns a median $133,985/year (≈ $64.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Allentown's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $134,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Allentown, Pennsylvania can expect a median annual salary of $133,985, which reflects a competitive position within the broader healthcare market when compared to the national median of $140,391. This local salary ranges from $84,454 at the lower 10th percentile to $166,872 at the upper 90th percentile, indicating a significant pay variation based on specialties and practice environments. Derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, these figures highlight how surgical specialties generally pay more than primary care within the Allentown area. As the local healthcare market evolves, the increasing demand for PAs, particularly in high-stakes environments, signals continued growth potential for this vital profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,454 | $40.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,084 | $54.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,985 | $64.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,492 | $67.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,872 | $80.23 |
Median Salary Position
4.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Allentown
In Allentown, PA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,418 (2026 est.). At $133,985, the local median is 4.56% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Allentown: You'd be above the median
How Allentown Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Allentown median: $133,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Allentown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $129,957 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.56% less |
Physician Assistants in Allentown, PA earn a median of $133,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.56% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $129,957.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Allentown has a cost of living 0.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Allentown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 99.968 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $133,985 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,720
2025 BLS Actual
$129,680
2026 Current Est.
$133,985
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,434 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Allentown metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 35.5% from $95,720 (2019) to $129,680 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,434 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,714 (44.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown 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) | $84,454 – $113,084 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,084 – $133,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,985 – $139,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,492 – $166,872 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Allentown
While there are 560 physician assistants currently employed in Allentown, the cost of living is relatively favorable with an index of 99.968, allowing for a decent standard of living considering the region's compensation structure. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where PAs often handle first-assist roles in surgeries. Factors such as call coverage, first-assist case volume, and RVU productivity bonuses significantly drive the disparity in salaries. For those looking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Allentown, seeking positions in surgical specialties or within larger hospital systems can be advantageous. This approach, combined with an awareness of the evolving landscape of Optimal Team Practice, will provide an edge in negotiating better compensation packages.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
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 $129,680 for physician assistantsin the Allentown 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