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

A typical Physician Assistant in Massachusetts earns about $68.47 per hour, or $142,410 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes to roughly $11,868 a month and about $2,739 a week, based on the annual figure. These figures represent typical pay across the state, not a starting wage.

This is about 5% above the national figure of $135,880 a year. That comparison places Massachusetts 10th among all 51 states for Physician Assistant pay. The state employs about 4,470 Physician Assistants, a modest slice of the 162,150 counted nationwide. That workforce size gives context for how the local pay figures compare against a much larger national pool.

Entry-level positions in Massachusetts typically offer around $31.36 an hour ($65,220 a year) for Physician Assistants just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical $142,410 figure within the first few years on the job. New graduates in hospital or primary care settings often start near this lower range. Location and setting both play a role in how quickly pay rises.

Experienced Physician Assistants in Massachusetts often earn upwards of $169,980 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $204,140. That leaves a spread of $138,920 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual lands within that range. Surgical and specialty roles in higher-cost metro areas tend to sit toward the upper end.

Massachusetts Physician Assistant pay has risen steadily over the past decade, climbing from $103,990 in 2015 to $142,410 in 2025. That marks a gain of $38,420, or 37%, over ten years. The increase has been fairly consistent year over year, without sharp drops. Pay in 2025 sits well above where it stood even five years earlier.

Nationally, Physician Assistant pay rose 38% over the same decade, putting Massachusetts's climb almost in line with the country as a whole. For someone starting a Physician Assistant career in Massachusetts now, the data shows pay has moved up steadily over time. That trend offers no guarantee about future years, but it reflects a decade of consistent gains.

Pay runs highest in Barnstable Town, where Physician Assistants typically earn $162,330 a year ($78.04 an hour), about 14% above the statewide figure. Springfield follows closely, with typical pay near $161,770 a year. Worcester also pays above the state figure, at $152,860 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Northampton has the lowest typical pay in the state at $134,860 a year, a spread of $27,470 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities listed. Boston has the largest Physician Assistant workforce in Massachusetts, with about 3,550 employed and typical pay of $142,410 a year. Higher pay in cities like Barnstable Town and Springfield often tracks a higher cost of living, so take-home value doesn't always scale with the raw figure.

Massachusetts pay compares closely with its neighbors. New York pays the most nearby, at $160,880 a year, about 13% higher than Massachusetts. New Hampshire and Vermont both run about 6% higher, near $150,960 and $150,490. Rhode Island and Connecticut pay slightly less, around 2% below Massachusetts, at $139,930 and $139,860. Licensure earned in Massachusetts can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Physician Assistants in Massachusetts typically earn $142,410 a year, a figure that has climbed 37% over the past decade. Pay sits above the national figure and varies by city, from Northampton to Barnstable Town. Readers considering a move to Massachusetts, or a switch into the field, can check the state licensing or registry page for requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures before making a decision.