Physician Assistant Salary in Charlotte, NC: $137,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Charlotte, NC earns a median $137,560/year (≈ $66.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $141,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants working in Charlotte, North Carolina, can anticipate a median annual salary of $137,560, which is slightly below the projected national median of $140,391. The salary spectrum ranges from $102,917 at the 10th percentile to $174,838 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on specialization and employment type. These insights, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reveal the dynamics of Charlotte's healthcare landscape. With a mix of hospital systems that offer W-2 employment and private surgical practices operating on a 1099 basis, prospective physician assistants can choose a path that aligns with their financial and professional goals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,917 | $49.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,278 | $53.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,560 | $66.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,929 | $70.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,838 | $84.05 |
Median Salary Position
2.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,921 (2026 est.). At $137,560, the local median is 2.02% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlotte Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $137,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $135,128 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.02% less |
Physician Assistants in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $137,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% above the North Carolina state average of $135,128.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $137,560 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,920
2025 BLS Actual
$133,140
2026 Current Est.
$137,560
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 30.6% from $101,920 (2019) to $133,140 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,207 (39.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $102,917 – $112,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,278 – $137,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,560 – $145,929 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,929 – $174,838 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Charlotte
The job market for physician assistants in Charlotte is robust, with approximately 1,680 professionals currently employed in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 97.348, living expenses in Charlotte are below the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for PA's in the area. Among dominant employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery tend to offer the highest pay, linked closely to the complexity and demand of those roles. The spread between lower and higher salaries is often driven by specialty choices, first-assist case volume, and bonus structures tied to productivity, as well as geographical factors. For those looking to optimize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and considering diverse practice settings—including urgent care, emergency departments, and specialty clinics—can significantly enhance overall compensation in the Charlotte, NC job market.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
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 $133,140 for physician assistantsin the Charlotte 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