Physician Assistant salary in Washington
Physician Assistants in Washington earn a median of $164,360 a year ($79.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $125,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,150 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $135,880. Washington ranks 3rd of 51 states for physician assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.00 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $164,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $125,580 | $60.38 |
| 25th percentile | $138,050 | $66.37 |
| Median | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| 75th percentile | $177,930 | $85.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,150 | $104.88 |
| Average (mean) | $164,430 | $79.05 |
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 | $13,696.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,848.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,321.54 |
| Weekly | $3,160.77 |
| Hourly | $79.02 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $168,080 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,290 | 1,920 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $163,810 | 1,110 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $161,980 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $161,260 | 120 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $154,230 | 120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $153,940 | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $153,810 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $147,570 | 350 |
| Yakima, WA | $136,570 | 120 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,220 | $40.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for physician assistants in Washington is $164,360 a year, or $79.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $125,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Washington earn at least $218,150 a year. The top 25% earn $177,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $125,580 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $138,050 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Washington?
About 3,540 physician assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.