Physician Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Physician Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $127,070 a year ($61.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,690 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pennsylvania ranks 43rd of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 1.5 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $125,160, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,050 | $47.62 |
| 25th percentile | $107,260 | $51.57 |
| Median | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| 75th percentile | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,690 | $76.29 |
| Average (mean) | $125,160 | $60.18 |
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 | $10,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,887.31 |
| Weekly | $2,443.65 |
| Hourly | $61.09 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lebanon, PA | $137,770 | 90 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $135,640 | 3,390 |
| Reading, PA | $130,160 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $129,800 | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $129,680 | 560 |
| State College, PA | $128,480 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $126,530 | 290 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $126,230 | 310 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $125,230 | 2,560 |
| Williamsport, PA | $124,920 | 150 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $124,520 | 30 |
| Lancaster, PA | $124,070 | 340 |
| Altoona, PA | $123,270 | 190 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $123,110 | 580 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $120,030 | 70 |
| Erie, PA | $111,260 | 170 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Dentists, General | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,530 | $106.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for physician assistants in Pennsylvania is $127,070 a year, or $61.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $158,690 a year. The top 25% earn $137,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,050 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $107,260 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 9,020 physician assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.