Physician Assistant salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Physician Assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $134,540 a year ($64.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,590 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $134,540. There are 1.0 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $141,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,560 | $50.75 |
| 25th percentile | $127,920 | $61.50 |
| Median | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| 75th percentile | $161,790 | $77.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,590 | $84.42 |
| Average (mean) | $141,060 | $67.82 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Veterinarian | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $96,160 | $46.23 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $134,540 a year, or $64.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $175,590 a year. The top 25% earn $161,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,560 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $127,920 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,650 physician assistants are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.