Physician Assistant Salary in Salem, VA: $126,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Salem, VA earns a median $126,653/year (≈ $60.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $122,726 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, VA, physician assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,653 in 2026, which reflects a compensation level that is approximately 9.79% lower than the national median of $140,391. The salary range for PAs in this region spans from $90,524 at the 10th percentile to a high of $167,094 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for regional price parity to better reflect the local economic climate. Given that first-assist billing is commonly employed in surgical practices, PAs working in surgery, particularly in specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, often find themselves positioned at the higher end of this salary spectrum. This trend not only enhances earning potential but also indicates a thriving job market for surgical PAs in Salem.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,524 | $43.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,406 | $56.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,653 | $60.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,361 | $71.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,094 | $80.33 |
Median Salary Position
9.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, VA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,570 (2026 est.). At $126,653, the local median is 9.79% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Salem median: $126,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $130,570 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -9.79% less |
Physician Assistants in Salem, VA earn a median of $126,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.79% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $130,570.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,653 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,726 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,274
2025 BLS Actual
$122,583
2026 Current Est.
$126,653
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,679 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,858 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $101,274 (2019) to $122,583 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,858 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,584 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $90,524 – $117,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,406 – $126,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,653 – $148,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,361 – $167,094 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Salem
The local job market for physician assistants in Salem remains relatively small, with only six PAs currently employed in the area; however, this is coupled with a cost-of-living index of 103.2, suggesting that living expenses are slightly above the national average. This economic context impacts take-home pay significantly. In terms of compensation, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the most competitive salaries, driven by the demand for skilled assistance in high-stakes environments. Factors influencing the wide salary range include specialty choice—as surgical PAs generally earn more than those in emergency or primary care—along with variables like first-assist case volume, call coverage, and RVU productivity bonuses. For those considering a career in Salem, exploring employment in surgical specialties, seeking roles that provide opportunities for bonus structures, and understanding the nuances of hospital versus private practice employment can greatly enhance overall compensation potential.
More salary data for Salem, VA:
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 $122,583 for physician assistantsin the Salem 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 Salem 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