Healthcare Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Physician Assistant Salary in Rochester, New York

The median physician assistant salary in Rochester, NY is $119,710 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 25.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$119,710
vs State Avg
$-40,323
vs National
$-6,300
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rochester offers a median physician assistant salary of $119,710, which is $40,323 below the New York state average of $160,033. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physician assistants in Rochester spans from $79,800 at the 10th percentile to $165,300 at the 90th percentile — a $85,500 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $83,600, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $153,900. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physician Assistant Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $83,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $153,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$83,600
$-4,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$119,700
$-6,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$153,900
$-8,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $79,800
25th Percentile $100,700
Median (50th) $119,710
75th Percentile $143,450
90th Percentile $165,300

Physician Assistant Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$241,939
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$176,414
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$129,790
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$122,230
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Rochester

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Rochester and the surrounding New York 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 Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Rochester

Browse open physician assistant positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Rochester

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Rochester, New York is $119,710 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $79,800 (10th percentile) to $165,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $119,710, a physician assistant in Rochester earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Rochester's median physician assistant salary of $119,710 is 25.2% below the New York state average of $160,033. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NY? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $119,710 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Rochester? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Rochester 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.