2020 NCCPA Statistical Profile of Certified PAs by State Shows Mean Salary of $131,614 for PAs in California
The NCCPA recently released its 2020 Statistical Profile of Certified PAs by State, showing PAs in California having the highest mean salary of $131,614. The second highest paying state for PAs was Nevada, with a mean income of $130,680. Rounding out the top five were Alaska ($126,398), Connecticut ($125,479), and Washington ($124,476).
The NCCPA is the only certifying body for PAs. They collect data on PAs through online profiles that PAs complete when they log into the NCCPA website.
” Data reflected in this report includes aggregated responses from PAs who were certified as of December 31, 2020, and have made updates to the Profile between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. In addition, some data were obtained from other NCCPA data collection strategies. As of December 31, 2020, there were 148,560 Certified PAs, and 127,560 provided responses for at least a portion of the profile, yielding an overall response rate of 85.9%.” – NCCPA.
The data collected from the NCCPA has a high response rate, as most certified PAs complete at least a portion of the profile, compared to AAPA reports, in which usually only 10% of certified PAs respond. When comparing the data, it is necessary to look at multiple reports to help corroborate the information.
This report from the NCCPA looks at other information beyond salaries, such as the ethnicity of PAs by state and practice area by state. It’s a great report to look at for a general idea of how different states compared demographics for PAs.
Although it can be helpful to look at general trends to see which states have the highest salary, it is also essential to look at why. California has one of the highest living costs, and even though the pay is a lot, it has the least buying power compared to other states. If you’re looking at a new job, it is essential to use a cost of living calculator to help you determine how far your salary will go in a different area.
The lowest paying state was Pennsylvania, with a mean PA income of $105,008; with Vermont ($108,046), Alabama ($107,417), Colorado ($107,282), and Kentucky ($107,094) rounding out the five lowest states. Nationally, the mean salary was $115,502.
There are a lot of factors that can determine a PA’s salary, and it is crucial to keep this in mind when looking at these reports. Not only is location essential, but specialty and payor mix are relevant. Some states tend to use PAs more in certain specialties, and higher-paying salaries can affect the mean wage. If you’re looking for the best chance to earn a high income as a PA, moving west might be in your future.
