Physician Assistant Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $134,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $134,409/year (≈ $64.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $144,844 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, physician assistant salaries are projected to reach a median of $134,409 in 2026, reflecting the distinct specialties that influence pay scales in the region. The salary range spans from $115,109 at the 10th percentile to $171,625 at the 90th percentile, indicating that those in surgical specialties generally command higher compensation compared to their primary care counterparts. These figures stem from 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlight Eau Claire's competitive position within the broader job market. Given the area's health care needs, surgical roles, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, may offer particularly lucrative opportunities for PAs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $115,109 | $55.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,266 | $62.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,409 | $64.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,069 | $76.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,625 | $82.51 |
Median Salary Position
4.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,516 (2026 est.). At $134,409, the local median is 4.26% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $134,409/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $138,852 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.26% less |
Physician Assistants in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $134,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.26% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $138,852.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $134,409 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,844 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,850
2025 BLS Actual
$130,090
2026 Current Est.
$134,409
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,871 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 11.3% from $116,850 (2019) to $130,090 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,021 (18.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $115,109 – $130,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,266 – $134,409 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,409 – $158,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,069 – $171,625 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Eau Claire
As of 2026, Eau Claire employs approximately 170 physician assistants, providing a stable job market for these professionals. The cost of living index in the area stands at 92.796, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, which can enhance overall purchasing power for local PAs. Employers such as hospital systems, specialty practices, and urgent care facilities typically offer the most lucrative opportunities, with surgical roles generating the highest salaries. Factors affecting compensation include case volume, call coverage requirements, and whether the PA is in a hospital employment or private practice structure. To maximize pay in Eau Claire, prospective physician assistants should consider pursuing surgical specialties and seeking positions that provide opportunities for productivity bonuses.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 $130,090 for physician assistantsin the Eau Claire 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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