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Physician Assistant Salary in Nevada: Is It a Good Career?

Nevada · 2026 BLS salary data

Physician Assistant pay in Nevada

The median wage is $134,660/yr — 1% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Nevadaranks #25 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Nevada

Real BLS state-level figures for Physician Assistant.

Median salary
$134,660/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$117,280 – $163,550
National median
$135,880/yr
Employed in Nevada
1,090

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Nevada

Salary alone can mislead — Nevada costs about the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
100
Nominal median
$134,660
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $134,660
State income tax
None

Nevada's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #36 of 51, down from #25 on raw salary.

Nevada levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do physician assistant professionals make in Nevada?

The median annual wage is $134,660 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $117,280 and $163,550. That's 1% below the national median.

Is Nevada a good state for physician assistant?

By raw pay, Nevada ranks #25 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Nevada costs about the U.S. average), that median is worth about $134,660. Nevada's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #36 of 51, down from #25 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are physician assistant professionals in demand in Nevada?

About 1,090 people work in this field in Nevada (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +20.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Physician Assistant nationally — Nevada pay is 1% below the national median. See the full Physician Assistant career guide →

The verdict

Yes — physician assistant offers near-physician-level pay and scope with far less training than medical school, plus very fast growth. The catch is a competitive, demanding master's program and significant debt.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay with much-faster-than-average growth
  • Broad medical scope without med school or residency
  • Flexibility to switch specialties
  • Strong job security and demand
  • Shorter path than becoming a physician

Cons

  • Competitive, intense master's program
  • Significant graduate debt
  • High responsibility and liability
  • Demanding hours in some specialties
  • Prerequisite clinical hours before applying

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting medical work without med school
  • Those who can handle a rigorous graduate program
  • Anyone valuing specialty flexibility

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to take on graduate debt
  • Those seeking a quick, low-barrier entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Physician Assistant is worth it — titles link to the original threads.