Physician Assistant salary in Colorado
Physician Assistants in Colorado earn a median of $134,540 a year ($64.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,090 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $135,880. Colorado ranks 28th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 1.1 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $139,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,590 | $50.28 |
| 25th percentile | $124,100 | $59.66 |
| Median | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| 75th percentile | $156,400 | $75.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,090 | $83.70 |
| Average (mean) | $139,580 | $67.10 |
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 | $11,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,605.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,174.62 |
| Weekly | $2,587.31 |
| Hourly | $64.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $136,540 | 270 |
| Pueblo, CO | $135,640 | 70 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $135,200 | 440 |
| Greeley, CO | $134,550 | 140 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $134,540 | 1,650 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $134,260 | n/a |
| Grand Junction, CO | $129,930 | 150 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Chiropractor | $74,040 | $35.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for physician assistants in Colorado is $134,540 a year, or $64.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Colorado?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Colorado earn at least $174,090 a year. The top 25% earn $156,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,590 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $124,100 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Colorado?
About 3,270 physician assistants are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.