Physician Assistant Salary in Covington, WA: $149,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Covington, WA earns a median $149,592/year (≈ $71.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Covington's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $139,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Covington, WA, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $149,592, outpacing the national median of $140,391 by approximately 6.55%. The salary range for this occupation varies widely, with the lowest earners making around $110,271 and top earners reaching $199,939. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations in Covington. The substantial earning potential here is notably influenced by the prevalence of surgical practices utilizing the first-assist billing model, which can significantly boost compensation for PAs specializing in surgical roles. Covington’s healthcare market shows a robust demand for these professionals, making it a competitive environment for aspiring and current physician assistants.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,271 | $53.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,296 | $66.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,592 | $71.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,986 | $85.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,939 | $96.13 |
Median Salary Position
6.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,668 (2026 est.). At $149,592, the local median is 6.55% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Covington median: $149,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,310 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +6.55% more |
Physician Assistants in Covington, WA earn a median of $149,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.55% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 6.10% below the Washington state average of $159,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $149,592 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,285 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,617
2025 BLS Actual
$144,785
2026 Current Est.
$149,592
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,617 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,541 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,152 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $119,617 (2019) to $144,785 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,941 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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) | $110,271 – $137,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,296 – $149,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,592 – $177,986 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,986 – $199,939 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Covington
With only five physician assistants currently employed in Covington, job opportunities are relatively concentrated. The local cost-of-living index at 107.4 indicates that living expenses here are somewhat higher than the national average, which may impact the disposable income of PAs. Among the different healthcare sectors, surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest salaries, largely driven by first-assist case volume and productivity incentives. Other lucrative options include hospital systems that offer W-2 positions, as well as specialty clinics in dermatology and ophthalmology. Understanding the nuances of these specialties, particularly the discrepancies in pay based on first-assist involvement and RVU-based bonuses, can help practitioners strategize their career paths to maximize earnings in Covington, WA.
More salary data for Covington, WA:
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 $144,785 for physician assistantsin the Covington 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 Covington 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