Physician Assistant Salary in Tukwila, WA: $147,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Tukwila, WA earns a median $147,291/year (≈ $70.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Tukwila's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $137,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tukwila, Washington, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $147,291, reflecting a competitive standing compared to the national median of $140,391. The salary range for PAs in this area extends from $117,259 at the 10th percentile to $192,965 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost specifics, highlight the contrast between local specialties, where surgical roles, especially those in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, are likely to command higher pay than primary care positions. As the demand for skilled healthcare providers continues to grow in Tukwila, those entering the field can expect to see various compensation opportunities based on their specialty focus.
About the Tukwila Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117,259 | $56.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,383 | $63.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,291 | $70.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,398 | $82.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,965 | $92.77 |
Median Salary Position
4.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tukwila
In Tukwila, WA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,706 (2026 est.). At $147,291, the local median is 4.91% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tukwila: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tukwila Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Tukwila median: $147,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tukwila Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $159,406 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +4.91% more |
Physician Assistants in Tukwila, WA earn a median of $147,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $159,406.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tukwila has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tukwila, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $147,291 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,142 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,777
2025 BLS Actual
$142,558
2026 Current Est.
$147,291
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,061 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,203 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,981 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,558 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tukwila metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $117,777 (2019) to $142,558 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,404 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tukwila 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) | $117,259 – $132,383 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,383 – $147,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,291 – $172,398 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,398 – $192,965 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Tukwila
In terms of job market dynamics, Tukwila employs four physician assistants, which indicates a niche yet potentially stable environment for professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, just above the national average, PAs in the area may find that their take-home purchasing power varies based on their career choices. Surgical specialty practices and hospital systems typically offer the highest compensation, particularly those engaged in first-assist roles that can benefit from RVU productivity bonuses. Conversely, primary care offices may provide significantly lower compensation levels. To maximize earnings in Tukwila, aspiring PAs should consider focusing on surgical specialties and actively seek positions that offer additional financial incentives and production bonuses, ensuring they tap into the higher salary potential available in this competitive market.
More salary data for Tukwila, 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 $142,558 for physician assistantsin the Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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