Physician Assistant Salary in Wausau, WI: $134,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Wausau, WI earns a median $134,295/year (≈ $64.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $144,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the projected salary for physician assistants in 2026 is set at $134,295 annually, reflecting a competitive environment when compared to the national average of $140,391. Salaries in the area range significantly, from $109,767 at the lower end (P10) to $167,637 for the top earners (P90), according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data. Many PAs in Wausau face the choice between hospital employment (W-2) and independent practice (1099). The structural dynamics of these employment types can influence take-home pay and job satisfaction, with hospital systems often providing greater stability and benefits compared to the variable income of private practice settings. As the healthcare market continues to evolve in Wausau, the demand for skilled physician assistants remains strong, creating opportunities for competitive pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,767 | $52.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,433 | $60.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,295 | $64.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,148 | $75.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,637 | $80.60 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,870 (2026 est.). At $134,295, the local median is 4.34% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Wausau median: $134,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $138,735 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.34% less |
Physician Assistants in Wausau, WI earn a median of $134,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $138,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $134,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,947 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,720
2025 BLS Actual
$129,980
2026 Current Est.
$134,295
2019–2027 Growth
+4.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew -2.1% from $132,720 (2019) to $129,980 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,034 (4.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $109,767 – $126,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,433 – $134,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,295 – $156,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,148 – $167,637 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Wausau
The job market in Wausau employs around 90 physician assistants, which is indicative of stable demand for this healthcare role. With a cost-of-living index of 92.651, Wausau's economic landscape allows for a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Among potential employers, hospital systems typically offer better compensation packages than urgent care chains or primary care offices. In Wausau, surgical specialties like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery often result in higher earnings for physician assistants due to higher first-assist case volumes and the associated billing complexities. The spread in employee salaries may also be influenced by call coverage requirements and performance-based bonuses like RVUs. For those seeking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Wausau, strategies could include pursuing roles in sought-after specialties or negotiating contracts that reflect the growing demand for skilled healthcare providers in the region.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $129,980 for physician assistantsin the Wausau 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