Physician Assistant Salary in Alabama: $108,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $108,185/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $123,077 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Daphne ($112,610), Huntsville ($107,230), Birmingham ($105,440).
In Alabama, the projected average median salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $108,185, which is significantly below the national median of $140,391, reflecting a gap of 22.9%. The highest-paying city in the state is Daphne, where salaries can reach $116,349, while Pelham offers the lowest average salary at $99,775, indicating a difference of $16,574. This disparity across cities is influenced by local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Alabama's state licensing requirements for physician assistants are straightforward, requiring applicants to graduate from an accredited program and pass the PANCE. The scope of practice laws in Alabama allow for appreciable autonomy, although collaboration with a supervising physician is necessary. Factors driving demand for PAs in the state include an increasing population, a growing focus on healthcare access, and a need for cost-effective medical services. Looking ahead, the job market for physician assistants in Alabama seems positive with an annual growth rate projected at 3.32%. With a total of 856 PAs employed, cities like Huntsville ($110,790), Birmingham ($108,941), and Hoover ($108,936) are likely to see continued opportunities as healthcare evolves.
Alabama Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $61,475 (lowest entry-level) to $185,842 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama physician assistants earn 22.94% less than the national median ($-32,206/year difference).
Alabama Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Alabama range from $83,954 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $152,052 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $108,185. The Alabama median is $32,206 below the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $52.01/hr. Approximately 856 physician assistants are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,475
2025 BLS Actual
$104,709
2026 Current Est.
$108,185
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,475 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,243 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,709 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 15.7% from $90,475 (2019) to $104,709 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,302 (23.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pelham | $99,775 |
| Anniston | $101,388 |
| Albertville | $103,346 |
| Vestavia Hills | $103,579 |
| Opelika | $104,208 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan | $107,339 | 83.833 | $128,039 |
| Hoover | $108,936 | 87.9 | $123,932 |
| Mobile | $108,445 | 88.098 | $123,096 |
| Decatur | $108,090 | 87.9 | $122,969 |
| Daphne | $116,349 | 94.69 | $122,874 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $83,954 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $108,185 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $152,052 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daphne | $116,349 |
| 2 | Huntsville | $110,790 |
| 3 | Birmingham | $108,941 |
| 4 | Hoover | $108,936 |
| 5 | Mobile | $108,445 |
| 6 | Decatur | $108,090 |
| 7 | Dothan | $107,339 |
| 8 | Phenix City | $106,166 |
| 9 | Prattville | $105,589 |
| 10 | Auburn | $105,475 |
| 11 | Montgomery | $105,428 |
| 12 | Northport | $105,354 |
| 13 | Madison | $105,193 |
| 14 | Alabaster | $104,542 |
| 15 | Tuscaloosa | $104,477 |
| 16 | Florence | $104,383 |
| 17 | Gadsden | $104,383 |
| 18 | Enterprise | $104,375 |
| 19 | Homewood | $104,241 |
| 20 | Opelika | $104,208 |
| 21 | Vestavia Hills | $103,579 |
| 22 | Albertville | $103,346 |
| 23 | Anniston | $101,388 |
| 24 | Pelham | $99,775 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Alabama?
How does Alabama physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Alabama?
How many physician assistants are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for physician assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physician assistant compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physician assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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