Physician Assistant salary in Salem, OR
Physician Assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $144,190 a year ($69.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,380 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 7% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $155,780. There are 1.0 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $150,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,470 | $49.74 |
| 25th percentile | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Median | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| 75th percentile | $168,300 | $80.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,380 | $94.89 |
| Average (mean) | $150,890 | $72.54 |
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 | $12,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,007.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,545.77 |
| Weekly | $2,772.88 |
| Hourly | $69.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $144,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $163,810 | 1,110 |
| Medford, OR | $155,110 | 210 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $152,350 | 30 |
| Bend, OR | $148,610 | 220 |
| Corvallis, OR | $146,710 | 80 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $145,030 | 240 |
| Albany, OR | $142,220 | 30 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $131,750 | $63.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $373,970 | $179.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,600 | $78.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,050 | $57.24 |
| Pharmacist | $169,210 | $81.35 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,170 | $141.91 |
| Dentists, General | $212,310 | $102.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,360 | $50.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Veterinarian | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Optometrist | $134,590 | $64.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Salem, OR metro area is $144,190 a year, or $69.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $197,380 a year. The top 25% earn $168,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,470 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $129,960 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Salem, OR?
About 190 physician assistants are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.