Physician Assistant salary in Massachusetts
Physician Assistants in Massachusetts earn a median of $142,410 a year ($68.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,140 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $135,880. Massachusetts ranks 10th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 1.2 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $146,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| 25th percentile | $128,020 | $61.55 |
| Median | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| 75th percentile | $169,980 | $81.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,140 | $98.14 |
| Average (mean) | $146,480 | $70.43 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,933.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,477.31 |
| Weekly | $2,738.65 |
| Hourly | $68.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $162,330 | 100 |
| Springfield, MA | $161,770 | 320 |
| Worcester, MA | $152,860 | 470 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $142,410 | 3,550 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $139,930 | 950 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $137,620 | 100 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $134,860 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| Physicians, All Other | $236,580 | $113.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,490 | $133.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Veterinarian | $140,260 | $67.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for physician assistants in Massachusetts is $142,410 a year, or $68.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Massachusetts earn at least $204,140 a year. The top 25% earn $169,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,220 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $128,020 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Massachusetts?
About 4,470 physician assistants are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.