Physician Assistant salary in Traverse City, MI
Physician Assistants in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $134,180 a year ($64.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,580 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 2% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $131,510. There are 2.4 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $135,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| 25th percentile | $114,380 | $54.99 |
| Median | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| 75th percentile | $144,730 | $69.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,580 | $80.57 |
| Average (mean) | $135,320 | $65.06 |
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 | $11,181.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,590.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,160.77 |
| Weekly | $2,580.38 |
| Hourly | $64.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $135,310 | 810 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $132,230 | 110 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $131,930 | 940 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $131,830 | 2,400 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $130,870 | 70 |
| Jackson, MI | $130,640 | 50 |
| Saginaw, MI | $130,270 | 120 |
| Midland, MI | $129,860 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $129,620 | 100 |
| Niles, MI | $128,480 | 60 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $128,230 | 260 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $127,570 | 210 |
| Flint, MI | $125,190 | 280 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.86 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| Pharmacist | $143,050 | $68.77 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| Occupational Therapist | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Physicians, All Other | $280,490 | $134.85 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Dentists, General | $171,740 | $82.57 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $168,080 | $80.81 |
| Optometrist | $118,030 | $56.75 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Veterinarian | $124,330 | $59.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,360 | $21.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $134,180 a year, or $64.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $167,580 a year. The top 25% earn $144,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,270 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $114,380 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Traverse City, MI?
About 170 physician assistants are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.