Healthcare Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Physician Assistant Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median physician assistant salary in Rockford, IL is $105,848 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 13.4% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$105,848
vs State Avg
$-16,382
vs National
$-20,162
Cost of Living
82%

Physician Assistant Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median physician assistant salary of $105,848, which is $16,382 below the Illinois state average of $122,230. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $105,848 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $129,083 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for physician assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physician assistants in Rockford spans from $70,560 at the 10th percentile to $146,160 at the 90th percentile — a $75,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $136,080. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physician Assistant Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,840
$-20,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$136,080
$-25,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $70,560
25th Percentile $89,040
Median (50th) $105,848
75th Percentile $126,840
90th Percentile $146,160

Physician Assistant Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$138,611
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$137,351
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$122,230
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$109,629
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Rockford

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Rockford

Browse open physician assistant positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Rockford

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Rockford, Illinois is $105,848 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $70,560 (10th percentile) to $146,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,848, a physician assistant in Rockford earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Rockford's median physician assistant salary of $105,848 is 13.4% below the Illinois state average of $122,230. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $105,848 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Rockford? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Rockford require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.