Physician Assistant salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Physician Assistants in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $167,290 a year ($80.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $130,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,970 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 2% higher than the Washington statewide median of $164,360. There are 0.92 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $170,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $130,820 | $62.89 |
| 25th percentile | $156,830 | $75.40 |
| Median | $167,290 | $80.43 |
| 75th percentile | $180,720 | $86.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,970 | $105.27 |
| Average (mean) | $170,150 | $81.80 |
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 | $13,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,970.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,434.23 |
| Weekly | $3,217.12 |
| Hourly | $80.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $167,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $168,080 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $163,810 | 1,110 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $161,980 | 30 |
| Bellingham, WA | $161,260 | 120 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $154,230 | 120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $153,940 | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $153,810 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $147,570 | 350 |
| Yakima, WA | $136,570 | 120 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $330,560 | $158.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | $64.30 |
| Physical Therapist | $107,290 | $51.58 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,860 | $52.82 |
| Dentists, General | $161,270 | $77.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Veterinarian | $163,810 | $78.76 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,220 | $50.11 |
| Anesthesiologist | $646,930 | $311.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $340,010 | $163.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $167,290 a year, or $80.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $130,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $218,970 a year. The top 25% earn $180,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $130,820 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $156,830 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,920 physician assistants are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.