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Physician Assistant Salary in Rhode Island: Is It a Good Career?

Rhode Island · 2026 BLS salary data

Physician Assistant pay in Rhode Island

The median wage is $139,930/yr — 3% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Rhode Islandranks #13 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Rhode Island

Real BLS state-level figures for Physician Assistant.

Median salary
$139,930/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$129,690 – $167,710
National median
$135,880/yr
Employed in Rhode Island
810

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

What that pay is really worth in Rhode Island

Salary alone can mislead — Rhode Island costs 2% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
102.3
Nominal median
$139,930
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $136,784
State income tax
Up to 5.99%

Rhode Island's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #30 of 51, down from #13 on raw salary.

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 Rhode Island?

The median annual wage is $139,930 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $129,690 and $167,710. That's 3% above the national median.

Is Rhode Island a good state for physician assistant?

By raw pay, Rhode Island ranks #13 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Rhode Island costs 2% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $136,784. Rhode Island's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #30 of 51, down from #13 on raw salary.

Are physician assistant professionals in demand in Rhode Island?

About 810 people work in this field in Rhode Island (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 — Rhode Island pay is 3% above 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.