worthsay

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

Washington · 2026 BLS salary data

Physician Assistant pay in Washington

The median wage is $164,360/yr — 21% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Washingtonis one of the highest-paying states (#3 of 51).

The numbers in Washington

Real BLS state-level figures for Physician Assistant.

Median salary
$164,360/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$138,050 – $177,930
National median
$135,880/yr
Employed in Washington
3,540

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

What that pay is really worth in Washington

Salary alone can mislead — Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
107
Nominal median
$164,360
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $153,607
State income tax
None

Washington 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 Washington?

The median annual wage is $164,360 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $138,050 and $177,930. That's 21% above the national median.

Is Washington a good state for physician assistant?

By raw pay, Washington is one of the highest-paying states (#3 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $153,607. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are physician assistant professionals in demand in Washington?

About 3,540 people work in this field in Washington (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 — Washington pay is 21% 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.