Highest and Lowest Average Salaries for Physician Assistants by State

The latest data tells the tale of a very good outlook for employment for Physician Assistants in the US. It’s still one of the fastest growing job sectors, and it’s estimated to increase by 31% by 2028. Much of this growth is credited to the aging population and a lack of enough physicians in our country, which could be up to a shortage of 122,000 by 2032. Our population is aging as our health habits and quality of care are improving – and that combination is leading us to a need for more and more specialty physicians. 

While PAs don’t pull in salaries that doctors do, they are still compensated very well. They are in demand, and their job is very demanding, and their salaries correlate to this. Those working in specialty practices can make higher than average salaries, because of their specialized skills. 

Location Makes a Difference

Another leading factor in PA salaries is what state they are practicing in. Keeping in mind that the true numbers depend on other factors such as cost of living, housing prices, and state income tax, in general salaries in the West and Mid-Atlantic regions tend to be higher, a bit lower in the South, and about average in the Midwest. 

States with the Highest PA Salaries

True to the general rule, according to the BLS, in 2019 the top 10 states with the highest Physician Assistant salaries run pretty much (but not all) along the east and west coasts. 

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Connecticut: $137,060

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Washington: $129,520

Average Physician Assistant Salary in New Jersey: $129,440

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Alaska: $128,530

Average Physician Assistant Salary in California: $127,520

Average Physician Assistant Salary in New York: $123,080

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Nevada: $121,540

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Vermont: $120,680

Average Physician Assistant Salary in New Mexico: $120,400

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Minnesota: $119,240

States with the Lowest PA Salaries

Alternatively, but also following suit, the 10 states with the lowest Physician Assistant salaries fall along the southern states, with a few in the midwestern region. 

Average Physician Assistant Salary in West Virginia: $102,500

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Georgia: $101,460

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Mississippi: $99,810

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Arkansas: $97,970

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Indiana: $96,120

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Missouri: $95,090

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Tennessee: $90,760

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Alabama: $90,080

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Louisiana: $86,490

Average Physician Assistant Salary in Kentucky: $84,870

Either way you look at it though, the outlook is rosy for those in or planning to go into the PA job market, with even the lowest average salary being considerably higher than the national average, with only prospects of going up. 

To get an idea of your state, here’s a chart of average salaries for Physician Assistants across the nation, along with the number of those employed as PAs in each state.