Physician Assistant Salary in Columbus, GA: $120,915 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Columbus, GA earns a median $120,915/year (≈ $58.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $135,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Columbus, Georgia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $120,915, which is notably lower than the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this profession in Columbus spans from $92,688 at the 10th percentile to $139,472 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicate that surgical physician assistants, particularly those working in first-assist roles, tend to command higher compensation due to their participation in billing for first-assist procedures. This dynamic significantly influences the overall salary landscape for physician assistant pay in Columbus, GA, highlighting the importance of specialization in determining income levels.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,688 | $44.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,688 | $44.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,915 | $58.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,985 | $62.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,472 | $67.05 |
Median Salary Position
13.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, GA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,784 (2026 est.). At $120,915, the local median is 13.87% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $120,915/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $126,216 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -13.87% less |
Physician Assistants in Columbus, GA earn a median of $120,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.87% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.20% below the Georgia state average of $126,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.296 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $120,915 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,409 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,320
2025 BLS Actual
$117,030
2026 Current Est.
$120,915
2019–2027 Growth
+75.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,915 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 64.1% from $71,320 (2019) to $117,030 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $53,610 (75.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $92,688 – $92,688 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,688 – $120,915 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,915 – $128,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,985 – $139,472 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Columbus
The job market for physician assistants in Columbus includes approximately 80 individuals currently employed in the field. Given the city's cost of living index at 89.296, which is below the national average, physician assistants may find their purchasing power to be relatively favorable despite earning lower salaries compared to national figures. Higher salaries are commonly found in hospital systems and specialty practices, particularly in surgical fields such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. The disparities in physician assistant salary in Columbus can be attributed to factors like surgical case volume, RVU productivity bonuses, and the differences between hospital employment and 1099 locum work structures. To maximize earnings, those entering the field should consider seeking employment with high-volume surgical practices while pursuing additional certifications that enhance their marketability in specialized areas.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 $117,030 for physician assistantsin the Columbus 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