How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make in Arizona in 2026?

A typical Physician Assistant in Arizona earns about $64.73 per hour ($134,650 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $11,221 a month and $2,589 a week, figures calculated from the annual pay. Individual pay varies by city, employer, and years of experience.

That is about 1% below the national typical pay of $135,880 ($65.33 an hour), based on the same data. Arizona ranks 26th among all 51 states and the District of Columbia for physician assistant pay. About 3,750 physician assistants work in the state, a workforce large enough to produce a steady, reliable typical figure.

Entry-level positions in Arizona typically offer around $50.98 an hour, or about $106,030 a year, according to the same wage data. Pay for newer physician assistants tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $134,650 within the first few years on the job. Setting and specialty both shape how quickly that happens.

Experienced physician assistants in Arizona often earn upwards of $156,500 a year ($75.24 an hour), and the top 10% of earners make over $174,420 annually ($83.86 an hour). That leaves a spread of $68,390 between entry-level and top-earning pay. The gap usually reflects differences in practice setting, years on the job, and the city where someone works.

Arizona physician assistant pay has climbed from $97,990 in 2015 to $134,650 in 2025, a gain of $36,660. That is a 37% rise over the decade, according to the same government wage data. The increase was not perfectly steady each year, but the overall direction over ten years was up.

Nationally, physician assistant pay rose 38% over the same ten years, a pace close to Arizona's 37% climb. Arizona's growth kept pace with the national trend rather than falling behind it. For someone starting a physician assistant career in Arizona now, the decade of data shows pay has moved up over time, though past gains do not guarantee future increases.

Pay runs highest in Prescott and Prescott Valley, where physician assistants typically earn $135,630 a year ($65.21 an hour), about 1% above the state figure. Flagstaff pays nearly the same, at $135,600 a year ($65.19 an hour). These cities cover their full metro areas, not just city limits.

Pay runs lowest in Lake Havasu City, tied with Kingman, at $129,460 a year ($62.24 an hour), a spread of $6,170 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Chandler holds the largest physician assistant workforce in the state, with 3,050 workers earning a typical $134,650 a year, matching Phoenix and Mesa. Cities with higher pay often carry higher living costs, so the gap does not always translate to more spending power.

Arizona's physician assistant pay sits close to several neighboring states. California pays notably more, at $165,650 a year, about 23% above Arizona's figure. New Mexico runs slightly higher at $139,920 (4% above), while Utah, Nevada, and Colorado all pay within a few hundred dollars of Arizona's $134,650. Physician assistant licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Physician Assistants in Arizona typically earn $134,650 a year, up 37% over the past decade from $97,990 in 2015. Pay varies by city and experience, so anyone weighing a move or a new position should check the Arizona physician assistant licensing or registry page for current requirements and the city-level pages for local figures before deciding where to work.