PA Salary

Greensboro vs Raleigh: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Greensboro, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greensboro, NC
$124,542
$59.87/hr
Raleigh, NC
$128,427
$61.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$124,542$128,427
Hourly Rate$59.87$61.74
Entry Level (P10)$105,996$109,240
25th Percentile$114,200$117,888
75th Percentile$136,351$142,706
Top Earner (P90)$195,213$161,179
Total Employed4201,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($124,542) and Raleigh ($128,427) physician assistant salaries.GreensboroRaleighMedian Salary$124,542$128,427Entry Level (P10)$105,996$109,240Top Earner (P90)$195,213$161,179US Median $140,391

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Greensboro.

The salary gap between Greensboro and Raleigh is $3,885 (3.12%). Raleigh's median is -8.52% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greensboro spans $89,217,Raleigh spans $51,939. Greensboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$105,996
P25$114,200
Median$124,542
P75$136,351
P90 (Top)$195,213
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$109,240
P25$117,888
Median$128,427
P75$142,706
P90 (Top)$161,179

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($134,111 effective) pays 2.50% more than Raleigh ($130,838 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $124,542
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $134,111
Raleigh
Nominal: $128,427
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $130,838

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($195,213)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,111)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,427/year)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Greensboro grew 14.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.2% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+14.0%

$105,780 (2019) → $120,540 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+15.2%

$107,920 (2019) → $124,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Greensboro or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median physician assistant salary at $128,427/year, compared to Greensboro at $124,542/year — a difference of $3,885 (3.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Raleigh?

Greensboro physician assistants earn $59.87/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $61.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greensboro to Raleigh as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $134,111, Raleigh = $130,838), job availability (420 vs 1,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Greensboro vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $105,996 in Greensboro and $109,240 in Raleigh. The Raleigh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov