Physician Assistant Salary in Athens, GA: $129,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Athens, GA earns a median $129,625/year (≈ $62.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $138,870 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a physician assistant salary in Athens, Georgia is projected to reach a median of $129,625, which is about 7.67% lower than the national median of $140,391. The salary range for physician assistants in this market spans from $99,931 at the 10th percentile to $167,626 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a competitive local market for medical professionals. The variations in pay can largely be attributed to the specialty of practice, as physician assistants in surgical roles generally command higher salaries compared to their primary care counterparts, enhancing their earning potential within Athens's healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,931 | $48.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,392 | $49.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,625 | $62.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,537 | $72.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,626 | $80.59 |
Median Salary Position
7.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,695 (2026 est.). At $129,625, the local median is 7.67% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Athens median: $129,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $126,217 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -7.67% less |
Physician Assistants in Athens, GA earn a median of $129,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.67% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.70% above the Georgia state average of $126,217.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $129,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,870 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,990
2025 BLS Actual
$125,460
2026 Current Est.
$129,625
2019–2027 Growth
+12.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,929 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 5.4% from $118,990 (2019) to $125,460 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,939 (12.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $99,931 – $103,392 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,392 – $129,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,625 – $150,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,537 – $167,626 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Athens
Despite the robust median salary, the purchasing power for physician assistants in Athens benefits from a cost of living index of 93.343, which suggests lower living expenses relative to the national average. Currently, Athens employs around 160 physician assistants, with some of the highest compensation packages typically found in hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments. Specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery tend to offer more lucrative positions due to first-assist billing and high case volume. Other factors influencing salary variation include the structure of employment—whether one is working under a W-2 for a hospital or as a 1099 contractor in private practice—and different incentive compensation structures. For those pursuing optimal earnings in the Athens market, targeting surgical specialties, seeking high volume practices, and negotiating based on productivity benchmarks can significantly enhance overall pay.
More salary data for Athens, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $125,460 for physician assistantsin the Athens metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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