Physician Assistant Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $127,837 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $127,837/year (≈ $61.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $131,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA, is projected to reach a median of $127,837, which reflects a local compensation model that is more cautious compared to the national figure of $140,391. While salaries range widely—from a low of $94,120 at the 10th percentile to a high of $172,684 at the 90th percentile—the figures indicate a diverse employment landscape where PAs can pursue various roles. Physicians’ assistants in the area face a structural choice when considering employment: working in W-2 hospital settings, which often offer stability and benefits, versus 1099 arrangements in surgical practices, which may provide higher wages but come with less job security and varied income based on case volume. Given the small workforce of only 11 employed physician assistants, the market for this profession remains niche yet vital for healthcare delivery in Wilkes-Barre.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,020 | $54.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,837 | $61.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,911 | $73.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,684 | $83.02 |
Median Salary Position
8.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,564 (2026 est.). At $127,837, the local median is 8.94% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $127,837/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $129,915 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.94% less |
Physician Assistants in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $127,837 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.94% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $129,915.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $127,837 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,221
2025 BLS Actual
$123,729
2026 Current Est.
$127,837
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,221 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,662 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,393 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,812 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,729 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,837 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,081 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $102,221 (2019) to $123,729 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,860 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $94,120 – $113,020 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,020 – $127,837 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,837 – $151,911 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,911 – $172,684 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
Looking deeper into the physician assistant pay in Wilkes-Barre, it's important to consider the local job market and cost of living. The area has a cost of living index of 97.4, translating to an advantageous environment for take-home purchasing power in comparison to national averages. Surgical specialty practices, especially in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest salaries, primarily due to the revenue generated from first-assist billing. However, primary care settings and urgent care clinics provide opportunities that might appeal to candidates seeking more regular hours. Additionally, those working within private practice structures as independent contractors can often enhance their earnings through productivity bonuses linked to RVU metrics. To maximize earning potential, future or current PAs in Wilkes-Barre should consider pursuing specialties, increasing case management experience, and seeking positions in facilities that offer robust supportive staff and high patient volumes.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 $123,729 for physician assistantsin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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