Physician Assistant salary in District of Columbia
Physician Assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $135,140 a year ($64.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,560 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $135,880. District of Columbia ranks 21st of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 0.67 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $146,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,520 | $40.64 |
| 25th percentile | $127,990 | $61.54 |
| Median | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| 75th percentile | $165,890 | $79.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,560 | $102.67 |
| Average (mean) | $146,230 | $70.30 |
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 | $11,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,630.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,197.69 |
| Weekly | $2,598.85 |
| Hourly | $64.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $135,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $148,200 | 3,020 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for physician assistants in District of Columbia is $135,140 a year, or $64.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of physician assistants in District of Columbia earn at least $213,560 a year. The top 25% earn $165,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,520 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $127,990 or less.
How many physician assistants work in District of Columbia?
About 470 physician assistants are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.