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2024 Data

Physician Assistant Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $124,182 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $59.70/hour | $82,128 - $173,038 range

Median Annual Salary

$124,182

4.5% vs national

Hourly Rate

$59.70

/hour

Jobs in Area

136

employed

Salary Range$82,128 - $173,038
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Salt Lake City, UT

$124,182

San Jose, CA

$180,337

$56,155 more (+45.2%)

in San Jose, CA

Physician Assistant Salary Range in Salt Lake City, UT

Annual Salary Range

$124k

$82k

10th percentile

$105k

25th

$145k

75th

$173k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$82,128$39.48
25th Percentile$104,507$50.24
Median (50th Percentile)$124,182$59.70
75th Percentile$145,300$69.86
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$173,038$83.19
Average (Mean)$133,259$64.07

Physician Assistant Market Insights for Salt Lake City, UT

Compensation Overview

Physician Assistant compensation in Salt Lake City, UT aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $82,128 to $173,038 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Salt Lake City, UT offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Utah economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Physician Assistant profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 111% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 39% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-5%

vs National Avg

0%

vs State Avg

111%

Salary Range

136

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Physician Assistant salary growth in Salt Lake City, UT based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$82,128

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$104,507

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$124,182

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$145,300

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$173,038

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Physician Assistant Job Market in Salt Lake City, UT

Where Physician Assistants Work

Physician Assistants work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Salt Lake City, UT compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Salt Lake City, UT

  • Research major employers in the Salt Lake City area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Utah
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Salt Lake City, UT market rate of $124,182
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $82,128 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median physician assistant salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $124,182 per year ($59.70/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $82,128 for entry-level positions to $173,038 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level physician assistants in Salt Lake City, UT typically start at around $82,128 per year ($39.48/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $124,182 within 3-5 years.

Physician Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median hourly wage of $59.70 per hour. Hourly rates range from $39.48/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $83.19/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $82,128 and $173,038.

The median physician assistant salary of $124,182 in Salt Lake City, UT is slightly below the national median of $130,020 (4.5% lower). This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of physician assistants in the area earn more and half earn less.

Physician Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $124,182 is 4.5% lower than the national median of $130,020. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $118,721.

The top 10% of physician assistants in Salt Lake City, UT earn $173,038 or more per year ($83.19/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $145,300, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost physician assistant salary in Salt Lake City, UT include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $124,182, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($145,300) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Salt Lake City, UT has a specialized job market for physician assistants, with approximately 136 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $124,182 is slightly below the national average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your physician assistant salary to these Salt Lake City, UT benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $82,128, 25th percentile: $104,507, 50th percentile (median): $124,182, 75th percentile: $145,300, 90th percentile (top earners): $173,038. If you earn more than $124,182, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $124,182 median base salary, physician assistants in Salt Lake City, UT typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced physician assistants with 5-10 years in Salt Lake City, UT typically earn $145,300 (75th percentile) to $173,038 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $173,038. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $124,182.

Physician Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($82,128) to median ($124,182) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($173,038) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $90,910 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Salt Lake City

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-1071

SOC Classification

Sample Size

136

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Physician Assistant in Salt Lake City, UT

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Median: $124,182/yr

How Salt Lake City, UT Compares

vs National Average

$130,020

-4.5%

vs Utah Average

$124,234

0.0%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$118,721

-4.4%

Cost of living in Salt Lake City, UT is 4.6% above the national average.

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Physician Assistant Jobs in Salt Lake City, UT

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