How does company size affect Physician Assistant pay in Portland?

Large enterprises in Portland pay Physician Assistants 10 to 20% more in base, but startups compensate with equity. The range of $112,000 to $152,000 spans both.

How do I negotiate a Physician Assistant salary in Portland?

Physician Assistants in Portland earn $112,000 to $152,000. Anchor your ask near the 75th percentile to land at the median.

What is the entry level Physician Assistant salary in Portland?

Entry level Physician Assistant positions in Portland start near $112,000. Candidates with strong backgrounds negotiate toward $130,000.

Physician Assistant.

Portland.

$130,000

median salary, 10% above the national average

$112,000 to $152,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Here is what Physician Assistants actually make in Portland: $112,000 at the 25th percentile, $130,000 at the median, and $152,000 at the 75th. That is 10% above the national average. Portland's tech scene is anchored by Intel's semiconductor campus and a strong cluster of sportswear and creative companies including Nike and Adidas. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$112,000

per year

Median

$130,000

per year

75th Percentile

$152,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$112,000$152,000

How Portland compares

Portland, OR

$130,000

Cost of living: 10% above average

National Average

$118,000

Portland is $12,000 above

What you should know

Before you negotiate a Physician Assistant offer in Portland, understand the terrain. Portland's tech scene is anchored by Intel's semiconductor campus and a strong cluster of sportswear and creative companies including Nike and Adidas. The city attracts professionals who value work life balance and sustainability. Salaries are moderate compared to Seattle, but the lower cost of living makes Portland a solid value proposition. 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 Portland, 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: oregon has no sales tax, but state income tax rates climb to 9.9%. Portland adds a local arts tax and metro supportive housing tax. Factor these into your net pay calculations. When someone quotes you $130,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Highlight your willingness to work hybrid in Portland's tech campuses. Intel, Nike, and other major employers reward in person collaboration with higher compensation bands. The range for Physician Assistants in Portland runs from $112,000 to $152,000. 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 Portland

SemiconductorsSportswear & ApparelClean TechnologyCreative ServicesManufacturing

Negotiating in Portland

Highlight your willingness to work hybrid in Portland's tech campuses. Intel, Nike, and other major employers reward in person collaboration with higher compensation bands.

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.

In Portland, large enterprises typically pay Physician Assistants 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. PAs commonly receive productivity bonuses, CME allowances of $2,000 to $5,000 annually, malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. The $112,000 to $152,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Lead with data: Physician Assistants in Portland earn $112,000 to $152,000, so anchoring your ask near $152,000 gives room to land at the median. Highlight your willingness to work hybrid in Portland's tech campuses. Intel, Nike, and other major employers reward in person collaboration with higher compensation bands. Never accept the first number without a conversation.

Entry level Physician Assistant positions in Portland typically start near $112,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $130,000. Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role.

Oregon has no sales tax, but state income tax rates climb to 9.9%. Portland adds a local arts tax and metro supportive housing tax. Factor these into your net pay calculations. 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.