Physician assistant pay in Washington, DC
Physician assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $148,200 a year. The middle half earn $129,990 to $174,280, and the top 10% earn more than $213,750. About 3,020 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Physician Assistants, SOC 29-1071).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $108,030 |
| 25th percentile | $129,990 |
| Median (typical) | $148,200 |
| 75th percentile | $174,280 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $213,750 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 10 of 50 large metros for physician assistants before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $148,200, a single filer keeps about $102,900 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $94,500 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 36 of 50 large metros for physician assistants after cost of living.
Where physician assistants’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$223,640 typical · worth $135k
- Seattle, WA$167,290 typical · worth $113k
- San Antonio, TX$140,160 typical · worth $113k
- Oklahoma City, OK$138,920 typical · worth $111k
All 50 metros for physician assistants →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among physician assistants in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) physician assistant in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $148,200 a year. The middle half earn between $129,990 and $174,280, and the top 10% earn more than $213,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a physician assistant in Washington?
Anything above $148,200 pays more than half of physician assistants in Washington. $174,280 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $213,750 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a physician assistant in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $148,200, a single filer keeps about $102,900 a year ($8,580 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $94,500 would in a typical US city.
Where do physician assistants get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical physician assistant pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, San Antonio, TX. Washington, DC ranks No. 36.
More: Physician assistant pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.