Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Auburn, AL: $79,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Auburn, AL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,525 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Auburn's local price level (BEA RPP 87.9 — 12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $90,472 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,475) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant field in Auburn, Alabama, can expect to see a starting salary around $79,525 in 2026. This entry-level pay is notably lower than the median annual salary for physician assistants in the area, which is projected at $105,475. Over the first few years, newcomers can anticipate gradual increases; they might see their salaries grow from the entry-level mark to around $94,748 as they establish their careers. Given the relatively strong job growth rate of 3.32%, Auburn presents a favorable market for new physician assistant graduates. With adequate demand and structured onboarding processes, employers in primary care settings and urgent care facilities are often eager to bring in new talent.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Auburn
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
Entry-level physician assistants in Auburn, AL typically start between $79,525 and $94,748 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $68,017 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,475 — 24.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Alabama of $55,000 represents just 69.16% of the starting physician assistant pay ($79,525/year) in Auburn. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Auburn
- 1Research the Auburn market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $79,525 to $94,748, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in AL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Auburn, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Auburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Auburn's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Auburn is $68,017 ( 85.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,525, experienced hygienists can earn up to $147,542.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,322
2025 BLS Actual
$76,970
2026 Current Est.
$79,525
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,365 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,919 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,959 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,166 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Auburn, AL grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,322 in 2019 to $76,970 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,166. New graduates entering the Auburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Auburn
Those seeking to enhance their earning potential in Auburn must consider the credentials that will elevate their profiles. Employers, including primary care clinics and surgical subspecialty programs, often look for candidates with a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, state PA licenses, and NCCPA certification (PA-C). Furthermore, specializing through the optional Certificate of Added Qualifications can significantly boost starting pay. For new grads, it’s essential to strategically choose employment settings; surgical placements, especially in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, can command the highest compensation due to the first-assist billing structure. Realistically, new graduates should expect a timeline of salary growth that aligns with their experience, credentials, and the evolving PA scope of practice dictated by Alabama law and collaboration with supervising physicians.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Auburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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