Physician Assistant Salary in Ellensburg, WA: $152,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Ellensburg, WA earns a median $152,013/year (≈ $73.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Ellensburg's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $141,539 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for physician assistants in Ellensburg, Washington, is anticipated to reach a median annual salary of $152,013, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national average of $140,391. This salary figure encompasses a range from $116,237 at the 10th percentile to $199,082 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the variations in compensation tied to factors such as specialty and experience. Driven by the first-assist billing model prevalent in surgical settings, Ellensburg’s market allows surgical physician assistants to command higher wages compared to their counterparts in primary care or emergency departments. With these projections derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, it's clear that the job market in this city for physician assistants remains competitive, particularly within specialty practices.
About the Ellensburg Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116,237 | $55.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $136,582 | $65.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,013 | $73.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,882 | $85.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,082 | $95.72 |
Median Salary Position
8.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,845 (2026 est.). At $152,013, the local median is 8.28% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ellensburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ellensburg Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Ellensburg median: $152,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellensburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,342 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +8.28% more |
Physician Assistants in Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $152,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.28% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $159,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellensburg has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellensburg, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,013 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $141,539 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,553
2025 BLS Actual
$147,128
2026 Current Est.
$152,013
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,553 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,942 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,441 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,783 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,436 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellensburg metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $121,553 (2019) to $147,128 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,506 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellensburg 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) | $116,237 – $136,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $136,582 – $152,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,013 – $177,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,882 – $199,082 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Ellensburg
Focusing on the local employment context, there are currently six physician assistants working in Ellensburg, a number that reflects both the limited scope of the local healthcare market and its potential growth. The cost of living index at 107.4 indicates that while living expenses are slightly above the national average, the compensation provided still offers a reasonable take-home pay. The highest-paying employers in the area typically include hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments, with factors such as case volume, specialty, and compensation structure influencing overall earnings. Physicians’ assistants can maximize their salary by seeking roles in high-demand specialties and negotiating contracts with emphasis on first-assist case volumes and productivity bonuses. In a market like Ellensburg’s, the right blend of skill and negotiation can significantly impact pay, making it essential for professionals in the field to stay informed on both market trends and opportunities.
More salary data for Ellensburg, 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 $147,128 for physician assistantsin the Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg 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