Physician Assistant Salary Guide (2026)

This guide compiles current 2026 physician assistant compensation data from Advanced Practice Recruiters' active placement activity. APR is the nation's first dedicated APP recruiting firm, founded in 2006, placing PAs in all 50 states. Surgical, emergency medicine, and dermatology PA roles continue to lead 2026 PA compensation.

2026 PA Base Salary Ranges by Subspecialty

• Family Medicine PA: $105K–$135K base.
• Urgent Care PA: $115K–$145K base; per-shift premiums common.
• Emergency Medicine PA: $130K–$170K base, $150K–$210K total comp; nights/weekends add 15–25%.
• Surgical PA — general: $120K–$150K base, $135K–$175K total comp; first-assist productivity adds 5–15%.
• Surgical PA — orthopedic: $125K–$160K base, $140K–$185K total comp.
• Surgical PA — cardiothoracic: $130K–$175K base, $155K–$210K total comp; call premiums.
• Surgical PA — neurosurgery: $135K–$180K base, $160K–$215K total comp.
• Surgical PA — plastics: $115K–$155K base; cosmetic-heavy practices add productivity.
• Dermatology PA: $115K–$165K base; productivity bonus typically 10–30% of base in high-volume practices.
• Cardiology PA — invasive/interventional: $130K–$170K base, $150K–$200K total comp.
• Cardiology PA — non-invasive: $115K–$145K base.
• Hospitalist PA: $130K–$165K base, $150K–$195K total comp.
• Critical Care PA: $135K–$170K base.
• Pain Management PA — interventional: $125K–$165K base.
• GI PA: $115K–$150K base; endoscopy-credentialed adds 10–15%.
• Oncology PA: $120K–$155K base.
• Endocrinology PA: $110K–$140K base.
• Pulmonology PA: $115K–$150K base.

Factors That Move PA Compensation

• Supervision model: Optimal Team Practice (OTP) states (e.g., NC, KS, ND, UT, WV, FL, ME) tend to pay slightly more than required-supervision states for the same role.
• Procedural credentials: first-assist privileges, interventional credentials, endoscopy training, and aesthetic procedure training each add 5–15% to base or productivity.
• Years of experience: 5+ years adds $10K–$25K; surgical subspecialties with 10+ years often add $30K–$50K.
• Call: in-house call adds material per-call or annualized stipends; pure outpatient roles eliminate call premium but offer schedule.
• Geography: high-cost metros pay 10–20% above national medians; rural surgical PA roles often clear $200K total comp with sign-on, relocation, and call.
• Sign-on and retention: $15K–$50K is standard for full-time PA roles; surgical subspecialties and rural EM frequently exceed $75K.

Frequently Asked Questions