Are you looking to move and wondering where PAs have the highest salary? Check out these five places for top paying cities for PAs according to U.S. News & World Report.

There are a variety of factors that can affect PA salaries. One thing you’ll want to look at is the cost of living in your area and how the salaries compare; if the cost of living is significantly higher, than you’ll want a salary that compares. You can use a cost of living calculator to help compare how much your salary would be worth in a different city or state.

Another factor of higher salaries in different cities is the specialties that are employing PAs. If a certain area employs more PAs in surgical specialties compared to primary care that might cause the average to increase.

An inability to recruit to an area can also drive salaries higher. If a certain area has difficulty recruiting qualified individuals, employers might offer higher salaries to motivate applicants to move to the area.

All that to say, there are many reasons average salaries might be higher, and just because you’re in these areas does not necessarily mean you’ll be offered a top salary. Also, there might be reasons that you don’t want to move to those locations.

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa – $146,870

With a population of 126,326 people living in Cedar Rapids it is the largest corn-processing city in the world. It is the home to almost 300 different manufacturing plants and two dozen Fortune 500 Companies.

According to the AAPA cost of living calculator the total cost of living is 93.9% of the national average. If you were earning $100,000 in Los Angeles an equivalent salary in Cedar Rapids would be $63,274.

Check out current PA Jobs in Cedar Rapids

West Palm Beach, Florida – $143,750

If Cedar Rapids is not your ideal location, the next city on the list is the complete opposite. West Palm Beach will give you plenty of sun and fun. It is one of three main cities in South Florida, boasting a population of 102,463 as of 2013.

Don’t expect your salary to go as far in West Palm Beach compared to Cedar Rapids. The overall cost of living is 116% of the national average. If you were making $100,000 in Cedar Rapids a comparable income in Florida would be $123,961.

Current openings for PAs in West Palm Beach include jobs in urgent care and ER, among others. See other PA opportunities in West Palm Beach.

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Olympia, Washington – $141,510

The next three cities on the list all hale from the state of Washington, and the opposite corner of the U.S. from the state of Florida. Olympia’s draw is the temperate weather with mild winters and warm summers. It is ideal for outdoor lovers, with over 40 public parks. Smaller than the previous two cities the population of Olympia is estimated at 49,670.

The cost of living in Cedar Rapids still beats out Olympia; however it’ll cost less than living in Florida with the total cost of living at 105.8% of the national average. If you had a $100,000 salary in Cedar Rapids a comparable salary in Olympia would be $112,673.

There are a number of PA job openings in and around Olympia, check out current PA jobs in Olympia.

Spokane, Washington – $137,240

In the opposite side of the state from Olympia, Spokane rests in Eastern Washington. According to the 2010 census, the population of Spokane is 208,916. From outdoor activities like hiking and fishing to galleries and museums, Spokane has a lot to offer for all.

The cost of living is more affordable in Spokane compared to Olympia, with the cost of living at 99.1% of the national average. Your salary won’t go as far compared to Cedar Rapids, but it is very close, a $100,000 salary in Cedar Rapids compared to $105,537 salary in Spokane.

There are plenty of opportunities for PAs in Spokane, from openings in orthopedics to ER. Check out all the PA Jobs in Spokane.

Mount Vernon, Washington – $136,900

About an hour north of Seattle you’ll find Mount Vernon in the northern part of Washington State. With a population of 31,743 as of 2010 it is the smallest city on the list. Known for its tulips and small town charm it was named the #1 Best Small City in America in 1998.

The closest city in the AAPA cost of living calculator was Bellingham, WA, which is almost 30 miles north. The cost of living is close to West Palm Beach, at 115.8% of the national average. A salary of $100,000 in Cedar Rapids would be equal to $123,322 in Mount Vernon.

As this is the smallest city on the list, it has the least the number of job opportunities for PAs, but if you can find a job here you might be looking at a good salary. Check out more opportunites for PAs in Mt Vernon.

Each of the five cities on this list has something different to offer; from corn fields in Iowa, to sandy beaches in Florida, to outdoor activities and mountains in Washington. Average salary does not mean every job is going to offer a higher salary; but if you’re a new PA looking at paying back your student loans than you might want to check out these five cities. They might not be your top destination choices, but with a higher salary you’ll be able to be debt free sooner.

How does your salary compare to these cities? Would you move to a different city just for a higher salary? Please comment below the original post, sign up to receive future posts by email and share with your friends!