The Black List: States with the Lowest Physician Assistant Salaries

When you’re looking for a job as a physician assistant or evaluating a potential career change, salary is a major consideration. Will furthering your education be worth the cost? If you are relocating for a position, will you be able to afford to live in your new locale? Working through the dollars and cents of your next career move is a must.

The first step in evaluating the financials behind furthering your education or making a career move is to consider how much you can expect to earn working as a physician assistant. Average salaries don’t predict your exact income, but they can give you general insight into how much you can expect to make in your practice. Physician assistant salaries vary considerably across state lines as well as among local job markets. Don’t forget to look at income based on specialty as well as you consider your PA earning potential.

These 11 states have the lowest physician assistant salaries in the country.

1. Mississippi

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $49,900

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $23.99/hour

2. Arkansas

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $75,700

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $36.40/hour

3. Louisiana

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $81,290

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $39.08/hour

4. Illinois 

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $83,770

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $40.28/hour

5. South Carolina 

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $84,350

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $40.55

6. Maryland

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $84,550

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $40.65/hour

7. Virginia

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $86,550

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $41.51/hour

8. Pennsylvania

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $87,020

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $41.84/hour

9. Alabama

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $89,890

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $43.22/hour

10. Tennessee

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $90,150

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $43.34/hour

11. Hawaii 

Mean Physician Assistant Salary: $90,880

Mean Physician Assistant Hourly Wage: $43.69/hour

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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