Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Marietta, GA: $94,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Marietta, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $94,407 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Marietta's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $101,404 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,929) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a new physician assistant in Marietta, Georgia, can lead to an entry-level salary of around $94,407 in 2026. This figure positions new grads significantly below the city median annual salary of $123,929 for physician assistants, suggesting that initial pay may reflect the typical learning curve and the adjustments new PAs face in the workforce. However, this starting point is just the beginning, with ample opportunity for growth as one advances in their career. With hard work and dedication, many can expect their salary to reach $111,954 at the 25th percentile within a few years, making Marietta a viable market for those entering the profession. The combination of a supportive healthcare community and a steady projected growth rate of 3.32% can motivate newcomers to gain valuable experience and enhance their skills as they transition from academia to clinical practice.
About the Marietta Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Marietta
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 Marietta
Entry-level physician assistants in Marietta, GA typically start between $94,407 and $111,954 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,397 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,929 — 11.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Georgia of $75,000 represents just 79.44% of the starting physician assistant pay ($94,407/year) in Marietta. 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 Marietta
- 1Research the Marietta market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $94,407 to $111,954, 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 Marietta, 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 Marietta for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Marietta'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 Marietta is $80,397 ( 85.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $94,407, experienced hygienists can earn up to $174,804.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,861
2025 BLS Actual
$91,373
2026 Current Est.
$94,407
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Marietta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,067 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,328 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,365 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,541 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Marietta, GA grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,861 in 2019 to $91,373 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $97,541. New graduates entering the Marietta job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marietta 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 Marietta
Employers in Marietta that typically hire new graduates include primary care clinics and urgent care centers, which often have structured onboarding programs for incoming PAs. These settings can provide a robust environment for new grad physician assistant pay in GA since mentorship and gradual exposure to complex cases typically lead to accelerated professional development. Other opportunities exist within surgical subspecialty programs that recruit through residency and fellowship pipelines, as well as hospital medicine groups that may feature night-only schedules, appealing to those seeking flexible work hours. To improve starting salaries, credentials such as a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification, and state licensure are essential. Engaging in continuing education and obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties can also enhance marketability. In the first few years, PAs working in high-demand surgical specialties like orthopedics may see substantial pay increases, especially given the first-assist billing model. As new PAs familiarize themselves with the scope of practice governed by state law, collaboration with supervising physicians can further enable them to advance their skills and earning potential effectively.
More salary data for Marietta, 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 Marietta. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marietta 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