Healthcare Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Physician Assistant Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median physician assistant salary in Tacoma, WA is $143,651 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median and 4.2% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$143,651
vs State Avg
$-6,301
vs National
+$17,641
Cost of Living
110%

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

Tacoma offers a median physician assistant salary of $143,651, which is $6,301 below the Washington state average of $149,952. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% 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 Tacoma spans from $95,760 at the 10th percentile to $198,360 at the 90th percentile — a $102,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $100,320, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $184,680. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physician Assistant Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $100,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $184,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$100,320
+$12,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$143,640
+$17,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$184,680
+$22,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $95,760
25th Percentile $120,840
Median (50th) $143,651
75th Percentile $172,140
90th Percentile $198,360

Physician Assistant Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$196,576
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$191,535
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$133,571
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$120,970
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Tacoma

Education

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

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open physician assistant positions in Tacoma, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Tacoma, Washington is $143,651 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $95,760 (10th percentile) to $198,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $143,651, a physician assistant in Tacoma earns approximately $69 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Tacoma's median physician assistant salary of $143,651 is 4.2% below the Washington state average of $149,952. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $143,651 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Tacoma? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Tacoma 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.