Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Gainesville, GA: $87,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Gainesville, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,812 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gainesville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.8 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $90,747 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,140) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Georgia, new graduates entering the physician assistant field can anticipate starting pay around $87,812 in 2026, which falls notably below the overall city median salary of $115,140. This gap highlights the typical salary progression that early-career PAs can expect, as many move towards the 25th percentile earning $104,777 or toward the median in their first few years. Given the growing healthcare needs in Gainesville, especially with a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, the market presents reasonable opportunities for new graduates seeking their first positions in this profession. In this region, entry-level physician assistant salaries may be more modest compared to national averages, but benefits such as structured onboarding programs are also common, making Gainesville a viable option for freshly minted PAs.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gainesville
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 Gainesville
Entry-level physician assistants in Gainesville, GA typically start between $87,812 and $104,777 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $74,256 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,140 — 17.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Georgia of $75,000 represents just 85.41% of the starting physician assistant pay ($87,812/year) in Gainesville. 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 Gainesville
- 1Research the Gainesville market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $87,812 to $104,777, 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 GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gainesville, 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 Gainesville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gainesville's moderate 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 Gainesville is $74,256 ( 84.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,812, experienced hygienists can earn up to $162,068.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,900
2025 BLS Actual
$84,990
2026 Current Est.
$87,812
2019–2027 Growth
+74.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,727 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Gainesville, GA grew 63.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,900 in 2019 to $84,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,727. New graduates entering the Gainesville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Employers in Gainesville, particularly in primary care and urgent care facilities, are known to actively recruit new graduates, providing valuable support in their transition into clinical practice. These hiring entities often emphasize the importance of having the necessary credentials, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA national certification (PA-C), to enhance one's starting position. For those interested in specialized fields, surgical residencies tend to offer more competitive salaries, specifically for PAs in orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, which are among the highest-paying areas due to first-assist billing. New grad physician assistant pay in GA, although starting lower, has the potential for significant growth over the first few years if one strategically seeks roles with collaborative physician practices that align with state regulations. Embracing opportunities for continuing education and specialization will aid in career development, reflecting the evolving PA landscape shaped by the Optimal Team Practice model adopted by many states.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
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 Gainesville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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