Physician Assistant salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Physician Assistants in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $123,110 a year ($59.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,730 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $127,070. There are 1.7 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,460, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,960 | $34.59 |
| 25th percentile | $103,690 | $49.85 |
| Median | $123,110 | $59.19 |
| 75th percentile | $135,840 | $65.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,730 | $75.83 |
| Average (mean) | $121,460 | $58.39 |
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 | $10,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,735 |
| Weekly | $2,367.50 |
| Hourly | $59.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $123,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lebanon, PA | $137,770 | 90 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $135,640 | 3,390 |
| Reading, PA | $130,160 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $129,800 | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $129,680 | 560 |
| State College, PA | $128,480 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $126,530 | 290 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $126,230 | 310 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $125,230 | 2,560 |
| Williamsport, PA | $124,920 | 150 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $124,520 | 30 |
| Lancaster, PA | $124,070 | 340 |
| Altoona, PA | $123,270 | 190 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $120,030 | 70 |
| Erie, PA | $111,260 | 170 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,770 | $46.52 |
| Physicians, All Other | $156,000 | $75.00 |
| Pharmacist | $135,480 | $65.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,750 | $37.86 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,650 | $43.10 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Veterinarian | $132,750 | $63.82 |
| Dentists, General | $193,760 | $93.15 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Optometrist | $133,820 | $64.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $123,110 a year, or $59.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $157,730 a year. The top 25% earn $135,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,960 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $103,690 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 580 physician assistants are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.