Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Flint, MI: $169,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Flint, MI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $169,579/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Flint's price premium (BEA RPP 93.0, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $182,276 in average-cost America. The 31% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
For seasoned physician assistants in Flint, Michigan, the compensation landscape shows promising prospects, with the 2026 median annual salary projected at $129,346. However, more experienced professionals, especially those who excel in high-demand specialties, can reach higher brackets, with the top earners positioned at $169,579. This gap illustrates the substantial experience premium available in this market, whereby dedicated PAs can further enhance their earnings through focused specializations and career advancement. To attain top-tier salaries, physician assistants must continuously sharpen their skills, pursue further credentials, and often take on leadership roles that allow them to influence patient care significantly.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flint
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Flint earn between $133,985 and $169,579 per year (2026 est.). This $68,863 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Flint median of $129,346 sits 7.87% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Flint | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $129,346 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,985 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $169,579 | $196,597 |
In Flint, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 31.10% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Flint
Advanced Certifications in Michigan
MI physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $129,346 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Flint employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Flint command premium compensation, often reaching the $133,985–$169,579 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Flint metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Flint with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Michigan who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Flint
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedFlint ranks #42 of 53 Michigan cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $169,579).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Flint ($169,579) is 1.77% above the Michigan average P90 ($166,628).
2019 BLS Actual
$164,260
2025 BLS Actual
$164,130
2026 Current Est.
$169,579
2019–2027 Growth
+6.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $164,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $167,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $166,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,209 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Flint saw their compensation grow -0.1% from $164,260 in 2019 to $164,130 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $175,209 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flint 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Flint
In Flint, specialized roles such as surgical physician assistants—particularly in orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery—consistently command premium salaries. Senior compensation also varies depending on the type of employer; positions within hospital systems often feature different pay structures compared to private specialty practices or urgent care chains. Opportunities for advancement to positions like lead PA or residency coordinator not only bolster one's salary but also elevate one's professional standing. Credentials, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification, play an integral part in elevating senior physician assistant pay in MI. Additionally, factors like call coverage, RVU productivity bonuses, and case volume directly impact earnings. Ultimately, a combination of expertise in critical care and surgical practice, along with strategic career moves, will substantially enhance an experienced physician assistant's salary in Flint.
More salary data for Flint, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Flint in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Flint?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Flint?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Flint?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Flint?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $164,130 for physician assistants in the Flint metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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