Physician Assistant Salary in Fairmont, WV: $121,740 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Fairmont, WV earns a median $121,740/year (≈ $58.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Fairmont's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $140,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairmont, West Virginia, a physician assistant can expect a median annual salary of $121,740 in 2026. This figure reflects the specific market dynamics where surgical specialties generally offer higher compensation compared to primary care. With salaries ranging from $98,293 at the 10th percentile to $161,010 at the 90th percentile, the local pay structure is influenced by various factors, such as the volume of first-assist cases and the specifics of practice settings. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlighting the unique salary landscape for physician assistants in the area.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,293 | $47.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,167 | $54.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,740 | $58.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,432 | $68.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,010 | $77.41 |
Median Salary Position
13.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairmont
In Fairmont, WV, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,717 (2026 est.). At $121,740, the local median is 13.29% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairmont: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairmont Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Fairmont median: $121,740/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairmont Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $130,763 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -13.29% less |
Physician Assistants in Fairmont, WV earn a median of $121,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.29% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $130,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairmont has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairmont, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $121,740 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,346
2025 BLS Actual
$117,828
2026 Current Est.
$121,740
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,384 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,269 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,933 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,740 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairmont metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $97,346 (2019) to $117,828 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,436 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairmont 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) | $98,293 – $113,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,167 – $121,740 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,740 – $143,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,432 – $161,010 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Fairmont
While Fairmont employs only four physician assistants, this small job market does not equate to less opportunity for competitive compensation. The cost of living index in Fairmont is 86.5, indicating that salaries stretch further compared to national averages. Among the leading employers, surgical specialty practices—particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery—tend to offer the highest pay, whereas primary care offices typically provide salaries on the lower end of the spectrum. For physician assistants looking to maximize their income, specializing in surgical roles, understanding revenue cycle implications such as RVU productivity bonuses, and considering employment models (hospital W-2 vs. private practice 1099) are essential strategies. By aligning with the right employers and focusing on high-demand specialties, PAs can enhance their financial outlook in Fairmont, WV.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
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 $117,828 for physician assistantsin the Fairmont 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 Fairmont 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