Physician Assistant Salary in Pasco, WA: $155,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Pasco, WA earns a median $155,479/year (≈ $74.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Pasco's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $144,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Pasco, Washington, can anticipate a median annual salary of $155,479 in 2026, reflecting the robust impact of first-assist billing in the local surgical landscape. With salary ranges spanning from a baseline of $116,909 at the P10 level to an impressive $216,992 at the P90 tier, this compensation represents a meaningful boost over the national average of $140,391. The figures presented here are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect regional price variances, ensuring they mirror the local job market's dynamics. Such competitive compensation signals Pasco's growing importance as an advantageous location for PAs, especially those involved in surgical practices, potentially leading to increased opportunities for collaboration with physicians in specialized settings.
About the Pasco Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116,909 | $56.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,306 | $66.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,479 | $74.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,356 | $90.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,992 | $104.32 |
Median Salary Position
10.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasco
In Pasco, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,083 (2026 est.). At $155,479, the local median is 10.75% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasco Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Pasco median: $155,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,302 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +10.75% more |
Physician Assistants in Pasco, WA earn a median of $155,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.75% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.40% below the Washington state average of $159,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasco has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasco, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,479 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,766 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,325
2025 BLS Actual
$150,483
2026 Current Est.
$155,479
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pasco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,325 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,791 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,552 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,993 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,483 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasco metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $124,325 (2019) to $150,483 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,316 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasco 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) | $116,909 – $139,306 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,306 – $155,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,479 – $188,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,356 – $216,992 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Pasco
The job market for physician assistants in Pasco remains solid, with 18 professionals currently employed, although the cost of living, indexed at 107.4, slightly elevates the financial considerations for those entering the field. Employers such as hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic areas, tend to offer the most competitive pay, benefiting from high case volumes and substantial first-assist roles. The pay scale's variance is driven by factors such as specialty choice, case volume, call obligations, and RVU-based productivity bonuses, with surgical settings generally commanding higher salaries compared to primary care or urgent care environments. For PAs looking to maximize their compensation in Pasco, targeting advanced surgical roles and seeking employment with established healthcare systems could prove beneficial, placing them in a favorable position to leverage their skills in a rapidly evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Pasco, 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 $150,483 for physician assistantsin the Pasco 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 Pasco 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