Physician Assistant Salary in Tupelo, MS: $119,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Tupelo, MS earns a median $119,148/year (≈ $57.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Tupelo's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $139,029 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Tupelo, Mississippi, is projected to reach a median annual compensation of $119,148, reflecting a local market that differentiates sharply between surgical and primary care roles. The salary spectrum ranges from $85,899 at the 10th percentile to $158,210 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on specialty, experience, and other factors. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations. As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, particularly in surgical fields, physician assistants in Tupelo may find lucrative opportunities, especially in hospitals and specialty clinics.
About the Tupelo Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,899 | $41.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,878 | $53.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,148 | $57.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,919 | $67.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,210 | $76.06 |
Median Salary Position
15.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tupelo
In Tupelo, MS, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,311 (2026 est.). At $119,148, the local median is 15.13% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tupelo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tupelo Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Tupelo median: $119,148/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tupelo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $120,351 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -15.13% less |
Physician Assistants in Tupelo, MS earn a median of $119,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $120,351.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tupelo has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tupelo, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $119,148 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,029 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,273
2025 BLS Actual
$115,319
2026 Current Est.
$119,148
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,273 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,943 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,346 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,111 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,319 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tupelo metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $95,273 (2019) to $115,319 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,830 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tupelo 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) | $85,899 – $110,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,878 – $119,148 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,148 – $139,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,919 – $158,210 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Tupelo
With only seven physician assistants currently employed in the Tupelo area, competition for top-tier positions is relatively low, potentially providing a unique advantage for PAs entering the market. The cost-of-living index sits at 85.7, suggesting that the purchasing power of a PA’s salary may go further here compared to more expensive regions. Among the local employers, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic medicine, tend to offer the highest compensation levels. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to the nature of the services rendered, with surgical and emergency specialties usually commanding higher pay compared to primary care. PAs looking to maximize their earnings should consider roles in hospitals or high-volume practices that offer RVU productivity bonuses, while also being aware of the potential rewards of private practice positions, which frequently operate under a 1099 structure.
More salary data for Tupelo, MS:
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 $115,319 for physician assistantsin the Tupelo 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
Salary data for Tupelo 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