Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Oxford, MS: $88,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Oxford, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $88,481 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oxford's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $103,245 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,787) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oxford, Mississippi, the starting physician assistant salary offers early-career PAs an opportunity to enter a promising field with a projected entry-level pay of $88,481 in 2026. Compared to the city’s median annual salary of $114,787, new graduates will find themselves on the lower rungs of the salary scale initially, but there’s potential for upward movement. Over the first three to five years, new grads can anticipate reaching the 25th percentile salary of approximately $104,147, gradually progressing toward the median as they gain experience. With a growth rate of 3.32% annually, Oxford presents a favorable job market for those just starting their careers in healthcare, particularly for those willing to adapt and seek opportunities in various medical settings.
About the Oxford Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oxford
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 Oxford
Entry-level physician assistants in Oxford, MS typically start between $88,481 and $104,147 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $66,469 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,787 — 18.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Mississippi of $55,000 represents just 62.16% of the starting physician assistant pay ($88,481/year) in Oxford. 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 Oxford
- 1Research the Oxford market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $88,481 to $104,147, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Oxford, 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 Oxford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oxford'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 Oxford is $66,469 ( 75.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $88,481, experienced hygienists can earn up to $154,950.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,664
2025 BLS Actual
$85,638
2026 Current Est.
$88,481
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,664 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,094 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,163 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,419 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Oxford, MS grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,664 in 2019 to $85,638 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $91,419. New graduates entering the Oxford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxford 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 Oxford
Professionals considering their first job in Oxford will find that health centers, primary care facilities, and urgent care clinics are among the employers looking to hire new grad physician assistants with structured onboarding programs. New graduates should also explore surgical subspecialty programs and hospital medicine groups, which may offer varied schedules and potentially higher salary paths, especially in orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery settings. Credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification, and state licensure can significantly enhance a PA's marketability and earning potential. To thrive in the competitive landscape, focusing on continuing education and seeking additional certifications can be beneficial. With realistic growth opportunities ahead, entry-level PAs in Oxford should plan for gradual salary enhancements within their first few years of employment, ultimately aligning with a national market that averages a considerably higher compensation.
More salary data for Oxford, MS:
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 Oxford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oxford 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