Physician Assistant Salary: What You Actually Take Home
National median: $130,020/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $99,622/year take-home — 23.4% effective rate.
Physician Assistant Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $95,000 | $75,219 | $6,268 | 20.8% |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $84,364 | $7,030 | 21.9% |
| MedianBLS Median | $130,020 | $99,622 | $8,302 | 23.4% |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $116,696 | $9,725 | 24.7% |
| 90th Percentile | $185,000 | $137,752 | $11,479 | 25.5% |
| Senior Level | $168,000 | $125,581 | $10,465 | 25.2% |
Physician Assistant Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $159,600 | $107,018 | $8,918 | 32.9% |
| Washington | $148,223 | $112,063 | $9,339 | 24.4% |
| New York | $171,301 | $118,699 | $9,892 | 30.7% |
| Hawaii | $173,252 | $115,449 | $9,621 | 33.4% |
| Connecticut | $152,774 | $107,258 | $8,938 | 29.8% |
About This Career
Physician assistants diagnose illnesses and develop treatment plans under physician supervision, with surgical and emergency medicine specialties commanding the highest compensation. PA programs take roughly 27 months and represent a faster path to high healthcare salaries than medical school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physician Assistant salary in the US?+
The national median Physician Assistant salary is $130,020 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $108,000 and $155,000, while the top 10% earn over $185,000.
How much does a Physician Assistant take home after taxes?+
A Physician Assistant earning the median $130,020 takes home approximately $99,622 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do Physician Assistants earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for Physician Assistants are California, Washington, New York. Top cities include San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, where salaries can exceed $155,000 for experienced professionals.