Physician Assistant Salary in Waco, TX: $135,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Waco, TX earns a median $135,349/year (≈ $65.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $146,244 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants working within Waco, Texas, will find the 2026 projected median salary set at $135,349. This figure positions Waco's compensation slightly below the national median of $140,391, reflecting the regional economic landscape. The salary range extends from $102,297 at the 10th percentile (P10) to as high as $166,831 at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrate diverse earning potential depending on practice structure, with W-2 hospital employment typically offering more stability, whereas surgical practices often present opportunities for higher wages. For new graduates or seasoned PAs, this insight is crucial for understanding Waco's job market and making informed career decisions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,297 | $49.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,261 | $59.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,349 | $65.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,894 | $69.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,831 | $80.21 |
Median Salary Position
3.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,534 (2026 est.). At $135,349, the local median is 3.59% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be above the median
How Waco Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Waco median: $135,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $137,271 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -3.59% less |
Physician Assistants in Waco, TX earn a median of $135,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.59% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.40% below the Texas state average of $137,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $135,349 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,244 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,300
2025 BLS Actual
$131,000
2026 Current Est.
$135,349
2019–2027 Growth
+18.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 10.7% from $118,300 (2019) to $131,000 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,543 (18.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $102,297 – $123,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,261 – $135,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,349 – $143,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,894 – $166,831 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Waco
With approximately 90 physician assistants currently employed in Waco, the local job market presents an encouraging outlook for both new and experienced professionals. Additionally, the cost-of-living index in Waco stands at 92.55, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, which can enhance the overall value of the physician assistant salary in Waco. Higher-paying opportunities are commonly found within larger hospital systems or specialized surgical practices, particularly in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, where the first-assist role adds to the revenue potential. Disparities in pay often arise from factors such as practice setting, specialty, and additional responsibilities like call coverage or productivity-based bonuses. To maximize earning potential, physician assistants should consider targeting high-demand specialties or seeking employment with institutions that offer comprehensive benefits and competitive pay structures, ensuring that their skills align with the evolving needs of Waco’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
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 $131,000 for physician assistantsin the Waco 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