Physician Assistant Salary in Bristol, VA: $124,182 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Bristol, VA earns a median $124,182/year (≈ $59.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $120,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Bristol, Virginia are projected to earn a median annual salary of $124,182, which sits below the national median of $140,391. The salary range for PAs in this region is notably wide, spanning from $96,681 at the lower tenth percentile (P10) to $164,241 at the upper ninetieth percentile (P90). These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living. Bristol’s healthcare market is influenced by its unique approach to surgical services, particularly the first-assist billing model, which significantly enhances compensation for PAs working in surgical settings, making this a lucrative opportunity within the local job market.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,681 | $46.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,831 | $54.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,182 | $59.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,679 | $70.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,241 | $78.96 |
Median Salary Position
11.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,560 (2026 est.). At $124,182, the local median is 11.55% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Bristol median: $124,182/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $130,581 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -11.55% less |
Physician Assistants in Bristol, VA earn a median of $124,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.55% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.90% below the Virginia state average of $130,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,182 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,331 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,299
2025 BLS Actual
$120,192
2026 Current Est.
$124,182
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,009 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,026 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,182 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $99,299 (2019) to $120,192 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,006 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $96,681 – $112,831 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,831 – $124,182 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,182 – $146,679 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,679 – $164,241 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Bristol
The employment landscape in Bristol reveals that there are currently six physician assistants serving the community, indicating a small but focused job market. With a cost-of-living index at 103.2, the financial realities for PAs in the area reflect slightly higher expenses than the national average. Hospitals and surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to provide the most competitive salaries. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to various factors including case volume, call coverage requirements, and productivity bonuses tied to RVU metrics. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing opportunities in high-demand specialties and considering employment through hospital systems versus independent practices may prove beneficial. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone asking how much do physician assistants make in Bristol VA.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Bristol, VA 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 $120,192 for physician assistantsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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