Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Huntsville, TX: $97,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Huntsville, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $97,617 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Huntsville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $101,684 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,124) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant field in Huntsville, Texas, can expect a starting salary around $97,617 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level positions, which ranges up to $187,109. When compared to the city’s median annual salary of $134,124, it’s clear that entry-level positions are quite a bit lower than the average once practitioners gain experience. However, new PAs will typically see a steady increase in their earnings over the first five years, moving from this starting point to a more comfortable position around the first quartile salary of $117,323. Given the current job market dynamics, Huntsville appears to be a favorable location for fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers as physician assistants.
About the Huntsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Huntsville
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 Huntsville
Entry-level physician assistants in Huntsville, TX typically start between $97,617 and $117,323 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $89,492 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,124 — 4.46% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Texas of $70,000 represents just 71.71% of the starting physician assistant pay ($97,617/year) in Huntsville. 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 Huntsville
- 1Research the Huntsville market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $97,617 to $117,323, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Huntsville, 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 Huntsville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Huntsville'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 Huntsville is $89,492 ( 91.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $97,617, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,109.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,134
2025 BLS Actual
$94,480
2026 Current Est.
$97,617
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,134 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,918 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,687 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,858 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Huntsville, TX grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,134 in 2019 to $94,480 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $100,858. New graduates entering the Huntsville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville 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 Huntsville
Several healthcare facilities in Huntsville actively hire new graduates, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings where structured onboarding programs are common. Surgical specialty programs may recruit PAs through residency or fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups offer night-only schedules that appeal to certain work-life balance preferences. Credentials play a significant role in advancing new grad physician assistant pay in TX. Graduates with a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, alongside NCCPA national certification (PA-C), state licensure, and DEA registration, can set themselves apart. For those considering subspecialties, earning a Certificate of Added Qualifications can further enhance their marketability. In the first few years, realistic salary growth is expected with PAs gaining experience and building relationships with supervising physicians, particularly in surgical areas like orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery, where compensation is notably higher due to first-assist billing opportunities.
More salary data for Huntsville, TX:
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 Huntsville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huntsville 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