How do I negotiate a Physician Assistant salary in Philadelphia?

Physician Assistants in Philadelphia earn $111,000 to $150,000. Anchor your ask near the 75th percentile to land at the median.

Is remote work affecting Physician Assistant salaries in Philadelphia?

Remote work is compressing geographic salary premiums for Physician Assistants. Philadelphia's range of $111,000 to $150,000 reflects both remote and in office positions.

What certifications help Physician Assistants earn more in Philadelphia?

Certifications add 5 to 15% to Physician Assistant salaries in Philadelphia. They help bridge the gap between the median of $129,000 and the 75th percentile of $150,000.

What industries hire Physician Assistants in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare & Pharma, Financial Services, Higher Education. Physician Assistant compensation varies 15 to 25% between industries.

Physician Assistant.

Philadelphia.

$129,000

median salary, 9% above the national average

$111,000 to $150,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Physician Assistant pay in Philadelphia ranges from $111,000 to $150,000 in 2026. The median is $129,000, 9% above the national average. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$111,000

per year

Median

$129,000

per year

75th Percentile

$150,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$111,000$150,000

How Philadelphia compares

Philadelphia, PA

$129,000

Cost of living: 9% above average

National Average

$118,000

Philadelphia is $11,000 above

What you should know

Before you negotiate a Physician Assistant offer in Philadelphia, understand the terrain. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The city's pharmaceutical corridor is among the strongest in the country. Tech growth has accelerated, particularly in health tech and enterprise software, offering salaries that stretch further than in nearby New York. Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. Geographic location matters significantly, with rural and underserved areas offering premium pay to attract talent. Experience in procedural skills and first-assist certification further boost compensation.

Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role. Mid-career PAs with specialty experience reach $120,000 to $135,000. Senior PAs in surgical specialties or leadership positions can command $145,000 to $165,000 with additional administrative responsibilities. In Philadelphia, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

Base salary is not the full picture. PAs commonly receive productivity bonuses, CME allowances of $2,000 to $5,000 annually, malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. Hospital systems often add shift differentials for nights, weekends, and call coverage. And on the tax side: pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When someone quotes you $129,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. The range for Physician Assistants in Philadelphia runs from $111,000 to $150,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Philadelphia

Healthcare & PharmaFinancial ServicesHigher EducationTechnologyManufacturing

Negotiating in Philadelphia

Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income.

Common questions.

Surgical PAs earn 20 to 30% more than primary care PAs on average. Orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery PAs often exceed $140,000, while family medicine PAs typically fall in the $105,000 to $120,000 range.

Many PAs receive productivity bonuses tied to relative value units or patient encounters. These bonuses can add $5,000 to $20,000 annually, particularly in high-volume practices where PAs manage their own patient panels independently.

Lead with data: Physician Assistants in Philadelphia earn $111,000 to $150,000, so anchoring your ask near $150,000 gives room to land at the median. Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. Never accept the first number without a conversation.

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Remote work has compressed geographic salary premiums for Physician Assistants. Some Philadelphia employers offer location adjusted pay, while others maintain local rates to attract in office talent. In Philadelphia's moderate cost market, remote and local salaries are converging. The $111,000 to $150,000 range reflects both arrangements.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a Physician Assistant's base salary in Philadelphia. Specifically, surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest pa salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. In a market where the range spans $111,000 to $150,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the 50th and 75th percentile.

Philadelphia's economy is driven by Healthcare & Pharma, Financial Services, Higher Education, and Technology. Physician Assistants are hired across these sectors, though compensation can vary 15 to 25% between industries. Company size and funding stage also influence total packages significantly.