What should I ask about benefits when interviewing for a Physician Assistant in Tampa?

Ask about equity, bonuses, 401(k), health insurance, PTO, and remote flexibility. Benefits in Tampa can add $28,250+ to base salary.

Is Tampa a good city for Physician Assistants?

Tampa offers competitive compensation for Physician Assistants. The median salary is $113,000.

Is remote work affecting Physician Assistant salaries in Tampa?

Remote work is compressing geographic salary premiums for Physician Assistants. Tampa's range of $98,000 to $132,000 reflects both remote and in office positions.

What is the demand outlook for Physician Assistants in Tampa?

Demand for Physician Assistants in Tampa remains strong. The compensation range of $98,000 to $132,000 reflects competitive hiring.

Physician Assistant.

Tampa.

$113,000

median salary, 4% below the national average

$98,000 to $132,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Tampa is 4% cheaper than the national average. For Physician Assistants, that shakes out to a median of $113,000, with the full range spanning $98,000 to $132,000. Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. Know the range before you walk in.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$98,000

per year

Median

$113,000

per year

75th Percentile

$132,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$98,000$132,000

How Tampa compares

Tampa, FL

$113,000

Cost of living: 4% below average

National Average

$118,000

Tampa is $5,000 below

What you should know

Here is what the Physician Assistant market actually looks like in Tampa. Tampa's economy combines a strong financial services sector with growing tech, healthcare, and defense industries. The city has attracted remote workers and corporate relocations seeking Florida's tax advantages. Tampa offers a favorable salary to cost of living ratio, with compensation levels that have risen significantly as the metro continues to grow. 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 Tampa, 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: florida has no state income tax, which is Tampa's biggest compensation advantage. There are no local income taxes either. Property taxes and insurance costs are the main financial considerations. When someone quotes you $113,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Frame your salary expectations against the no income tax benefit. Tampa employers know candidates are factoring in the tax savings, so be explicit about how it shapes your number. The range for Physician Assistants in Tampa runs from $98,000 to $132,000. 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 Tampa

Financial ServicesHealthcareTechnologyDefense & MilitaryTourism

Negotiating in Tampa

Frame your salary expectations against the no income tax benefit. Tampa employers know candidates are factoring in the tax savings, so be explicit about how it shapes your number.

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.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. PAs commonly receive productivity bonuses, CME allowances of $2,000 to $5,000 annually, malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. In Tampa's market, these extras can add $28,250 or more on top of the base salary.

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. In Tampa, these factors can push compensation from the 25th percentile of $98,000 to the 75th percentile of $132,000 or beyond.

Remote work has compressed geographic salary premiums for Physician Assistants. Some Tampa employers offer location adjusted pay, while others maintain local rates to attract in office talent. In Tampa's moderate cost market, remote and local salaries are converging. The $98,000 to $132,000 range reflects both arrangements.

Tampa's economy combines a strong financial services sector with growing tech, healthcare, and defense industries. The city has attracted remote workers and corporate relocations seeking Florida's tax advantages. For Physician Assistants specifically, surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest pa salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care, which signals sustained demand. The current compensation range of $98,000 to $132,000 reflects a market that is competing for talent.