Physician Assistant Salary in Lancaster, PA: $128,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Lancaster, PA earns a median $128,189/year (≈ $61.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $130,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the physician assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $128,189 in 2026, reflecting the area’s competitive healthcare environment. This figure stands in stark contrast to the national median of $140,391, positioning Lancaster PAs about 8.69% lower than the national average. The salary range is considerable, with entry-level positions starting at $63,490 (P10) and top earners reaching up to $160,229 (P90). These insights derive from comprehensive Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which highlight the diverse opportunities within the local market. The variety of practice settings—from W-2 hospital employment to 1099 surgical practices—further influences this compensation spectrum. Understanding the local dynamics can inform prospective physician assistants about their potential earnings in Lancaster.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,215 | $51.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,189 | $61.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,021 | $65.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,229 | $77.04 |
Median Salary Position
8.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, PA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,739 (2026 est.). At $128,189, the local median is 8.69% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be above the median
How Lancaster Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $128,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $129,878 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.69% less |
Physician Assistants in Lancaster, PA earn a median of $128,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.69% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $129,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster has a cost of living 1.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lancaster, PA has a cost-of-living index of 98.257 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $128,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,470
2025 BLS Actual
$124,070
2026 Current Est.
$128,189
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.1% from $102,470 (2019) to $124,070 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,975 (29.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $63,490 – $107,215 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,215 – $128,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,189 – $136,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,021 – $160,229 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Lancaster
With approximately 340 physician assistants employed in Lancaster, the local job market remains strong, though the cost-of-living index of 98.257 indicates that salaries may stretch further than in many higher-cost areas. This enables PAs to maintain a reasonable take-home purchasing power despite the median salary being below the national average. Employers that offer the highest pay include hospital systems and specialized surgical practices such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where the complexity of cases often translates into higher compensation. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors like specialty, first-assist case volumes, and RVU productivity bonuses. For those looking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Lancaster, seeking employment in high-demand specialties, considering hospital vs. private practice positions, and exploring opportunities for call coverage or additional certifications can strategically enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Lancaster, PA in 2026?
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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 $124,070 for physician assistantsin the Lancaster 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