Physician Assistant salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Physician Assistants in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $125,230 a year ($60.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,930 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $127,070. There are 2.3 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,080, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| 25th percentile | $106,580 | $51.24 |
| Median | $125,230 | $60.21 |
| 75th percentile | $133,180 | $64.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,930 | $70.64 |
| Average (mean) | $120,080 | $57.73 |
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 | $10,435.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,217.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,816.54 |
| Weekly | $2,408.27 |
| Hourly | $60.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $125,230 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 |
| Williamsport, PA | $124,920 | 150 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $124,520 | 30 |
| Lancaster, PA | $124,070 | 340 |
| Altoona, PA | $123,270 | 190 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $123,110 | 580 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $187,680 | $90.23 |
| Pharmacist | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,630 | $57.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $275,930 | $132.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,860 | $43.68 |
| Dentists, General | $155,250 | $74.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Veterinarian | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,570 | $107.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $125,230 a year, or $60.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $146,930 a year. The top 25% earn $133,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,630 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $106,580 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 2,560 physician assistants are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.