Physician Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Physician Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $139,930 a year ($67.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,030 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $135,880. Rhode Island ranks 13th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 1.6 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $146,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,760 | $47.48 |
| 25th percentile | $129,690 | $62.35 |
| Median | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| 75th percentile | $167,710 | $80.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,030 | $96.17 |
| Average (mean) | $146,630 | $70.50 |
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 | $11,660.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,830.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,381.92 |
| Weekly | $2,690.96 |
| Hourly | $67.27 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $139,930 | 950 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Dentists, General | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $379,490 | $182.45 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $512,730 | $246.51 |
| Psychiatrist | $287,610 | $138.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for physician assistants in Rhode Island is $139,930 a year, or $67.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $200,030 a year. The top 25% earn $167,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,760 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $129,690 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Rhode Island?
About 810 physician assistants are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.