Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Decatur, AL: $77,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Decatur, AL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,084 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Decatur's local price level (BEA RPP 87.9 — 12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,695 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,090) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates considering a career as a physician assistant in Decatur, Alabama, the projected starting salary is $77,084 in 2026, which is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $108,090. This gap highlights the typical financial trajectory for entry-level PAs as they gain experience. Over the first few years, it is realistic for a new PA to see their salary increase to the 25th percentile at $93,786 as they build their skills and establish themselves in the healthcare community. Decatur, with its lower cost of living index at 87.9, presents a favorable environment for entry-level positions despite the initial lower wages, and there's potential for growth given an annual salary growth rate of 3.32% in the industry.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Decatur
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 Decatur
Entry-level physician assistants in Decatur, AL typically start between $77,084 and $93,786 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,611 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,090 — 23.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Alabama of $55,000 represents just 71.35% of the starting physician assistant pay ($77,084/year) in Decatur. 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 Decatur
- 1Research the Decatur market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $77,084 to $93,786, 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 Decatur, 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 Decatur for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Decatur'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 Decatur is $72,611 ( 94.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,084, experienced hygienists can earn up to $149,695.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,593
2025 BLS Actual
$74,607
2026 Current Est.
$77,084
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,581 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,511 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,926 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,773 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,607 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,643 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Decatur, AL grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,593 in 2019 to $74,607 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,643. New graduates entering the Decatur job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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 Decatur
When looking for employment in Decatur, new grad physician assistants can find opportunities primarily in primary care and urgent care settings, which often provide structured onboarding to help assimilate graduates into the workforce. Surgical subspecialties may recruit through residency or fellowship programs, and hospital medicine groups are known to offer night-only shifts, catering to diverse lifestyle preferences. In Alabama, credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification, and a state PA license are essential to boost earning potential. Furthermore, adding a Certificate of Added Qualifications in a specific subspecialty can enhance salaries straight out of the gate. In the first three years, new PAs should anticipate steady salary growth, especially if they explore surgical positions which often yield higher compensation due to the billing advantages associated with first-assist roles.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 Decatur. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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