Physician Assistant Salary in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $136,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Cottonwood Heights, UT earns a median $136,636/year (≈ $65.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Cottonwood Heights's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $139,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, the median annual compensation for physician assistants is projected to be $136,636 in 2026, placing it slightly below the national median of $140,391. This salary reflects a diverse market where specialties influence earnings significantly; those working in surgical fields typically earn higher than their counterparts in primary care. The salary range extends from a lower threshold of $100,851 (10th percentile) to an upper limit of $183,933 (90th percentile), showcasing a spectrum in physician assistant pay based on experience and area of practice. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments suggest that local conditions foster a competitive environment, particularly for those focused on surgical specialties, where demand tends to drive higher salaries.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,851 | $48.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,666 | $58.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,636 | $65.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,290 | $78.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,933 | $88.43 |
Median Salary Position
2.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottonwood Heights
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,082 (2026 est.). At $136,636, the local median is 2.67% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottonwood Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottonwood Heights Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Cottonwood Heights median: $136,636/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottonwood Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $138,999 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.67% less |
Physician Assistants in Cottonwood Heights, UT earn a median of $136,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.70% below the Utah state average of $138,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottonwood Heights has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottonwood Heights, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $136,636 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,257
2025 BLS Actual
$132,245
2026 Current Est.
$136,636
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,257 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,303 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,639 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,755 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,245 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottonwood Heights metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $109,257 (2019) to $132,245 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,915 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottonwood Heights 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) | $100,851 – $120,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,666 – $136,636 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,636 – $162,290 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,290 – $183,933 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Cottonwood Heights
Currently, the job market in Cottonwood Heights is modest, with only five employed physician assistants in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at a score of 98.1, which indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, potentially enhancing the take-home purchasing power for PAs in the region. Local employers, including hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, generally offer the highest remuneration. Several factors contribute to salary variances here, such as specialization, with surgical PAs usually earning more due to their roles in first-assist procedures and potential for RVU productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings, physician assistants should consider aligning themselves with high-demand specialties and hospital employment models while also exploring opportunities within urgent care chains, which may offer competitive compensation structures, including potential for additional shift differentials or bonuses.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, UT:
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 $132,245 for physician assistantsin the Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights 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