AAPA 2026 Salary Report Shows PA Compensation Continues to Rise Amid Growing Demand for Care

AAPA 2026 Salary Report Shows PA Compensation Continues to Rise Amid Growing Demand for Care

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 19, 2026) - The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) released its 2026 AAPA Digital Salary Report, revealing continued growth in physician associate/assistant (PA) compensation and offering new insights into the evolving PA workforce and healthcare landscape.

According to the report, median PA compensation increased from $134,000 in 2024 to $140,000 in 2025 - representing a 4.5% increase and underscoring the growing demand for PAs and the essential role they play in expanding access to high-quality patient care nationwide.

"The continued rise in PA compensation reflects the indispensable role PAs play in today's healthcare system, and the growing recognition of the value they deliver to patients and employers alike," said AAPA President and Chair of the Board of Directors Todd Pickard. "As healthcare delivery continues to evolve and demand for high-quality, accessible care continues to grow, PAs are critical to improving access, strengthening care teams, and meeting patient needs in communities across the country."

The 2026 report offers a detailed look at PA compensation trends and workforce demographics, including how factors such as specialty, compensation type, geographic location, and work setting influence earnings.

The report also examines compensation through a cost-of-living lens, highlighting how adjusted earnings can vary significantly by state and region. Alaska, California, and Hawaii have the top three base salaries, and Alaska, California, and Oregon have the top hourly wages nationally. However, this does not account for the cost of living in each of these states. Once cost of living is considered, the three states with the highest base salaries are Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. The top three states for hourly wage are Oklahoma, Iowa, and Kansas. A detailed, state-by-state comparison of actual and adjusted base and hourly wages will be available later this summer.

Key Findings from the 2026 AAPA Digital Salary Report

• More than 58% of PAs received a bonus from their primary employer, with a median bonus amount of $6,000.
• Approximately 83% of PAs reported being salaried employees, while 14% were compensated hourly and 3% were paid primarily based on productivity.
• New in the 2026 report, AAPA examined how productivity incentives contribute to overall PA compensation. Among PAs reporting Relative Value Unit (RVU) metrics, the median number of logged RVUs was 4,000, with median compensation of $26 per RVU. Primary care PAs were the most likely to report additional productivity-based compensation.
• The median amount of employer-provided professional development funding reported by PAs in 2025 was $2,200.

The 2026 AAPA Salary Report is the only PA compensation resource that combines detailed data on salary, hourly wages, bonuses, productivity compensation, and benefits with workforce and demographic insights specific to the PA profession.

Data for the 2026 AAPA Salary Report was collected through the 2026 AAPA Salary Survey between January 20 and February 28, 2026. The survey was distributed nationwide to non-retired PAs practicing in the United States via internet and social media outreach.

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Media Contact: Lauren Bloomberg, 202.441.8312

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

AAPA is the sole national professional organization for all physician associates/assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed, board-certified clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.