Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $100,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Goldsboro, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $100,737 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Goldsboro's local price level (BEA RPP 88.5 — 12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $113,876 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,632) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates seeking to become physician assistants in Goldsboro, NC, can expect an entry-level salary starting at approximately $100,737 in 2026. While this starting pay may initially seem lower compared to the median annual salary of $132,632 for all PAs in the area, it does provide a feasible pathway for gradual income growth as one gains practical experience. Within the first three to five years, there is potential for upward movement through the pay brackets, progressing from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile of $119,045 and eventually approaching the median salary. Given the projected growth rate of 3.32% annually, Goldsboro emerges as a favorable location for new grads looking to start their careers in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Goldsboro
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 Goldsboro
Entry-level physician assistants in Goldsboro, NC typically start between $100,737 and $119,045 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,561 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,632 — 5.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in North Carolina of $70,000 represents just 69.49% of the starting physician assistant pay ($100,737/year) in Goldsboro. 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 Goldsboro
- 1Research the Goldsboro market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $100,737 to $119,045, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Goldsboro, 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 Goldsboro for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Goldsboro'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 Goldsboro is $95,561 ( 94.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $100,737, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,298.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,160
2025 BLS Actual
$97,500
2026 Current Est.
$100,737
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,081 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Goldsboro, NC grew 11.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $87,160 in 2019 to $97,500 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,081. New graduates entering the Goldsboro job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro
Several employers in Goldsboro actively recruit new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, where structured onboarding programs are in place. Surgical subspecialty positions, while more competitive, often favor candidates who have completed residency or fellowship programs. For those interested in maximizing their entry-level compensation, acquiring a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited institution, obtaining NCCPA national certification as a PA-C, and becoming licensed in North Carolina are essential steps. Engaging in continuing education can also prove beneficial, with credentials like a Certificate of Added Qualifications enhancing marketability. In their early years, PAs should focus on building a strong foundation and networking, especially as collaboration with supervising physicians will define their practice scope. Hospital medicine groups often offer flexible night-only schedules, which may serve as an attractive option for new PAs. Overall, realistic salary growth in the initial years reflects both personal development and the evolving landscape of the profession in Goldsboro.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
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 Goldsboro. 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