Physician Assistant Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $132,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Goldsboro, NC earns a median $132,632/year (≈ $63.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Goldsboro's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $149,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Goldsboro, North Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $132,632, reflecting the differences in job structures such as W-2 hospital employment versus 1099 surgical practice engagements. This salary range varies considerably, with entry-level positions beginning at approximately $100,737 and seasoned professionals earning up to $196,298. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, these figures highlight the competitive landscape for physician assistant pay in Goldsboro. Although the city’s median is slightly below the national average of $140,391, the specific salary dynamics here offer opportunities for tailored financial growth in various medical specialties.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,737 | $48.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,045 | $57.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,632 | $63.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,151 | $64.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,298 | $94.37 |
Median Salary Position
5.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, NC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,561 (2026 est.). At $132,632, the local median is 5.53% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goldsboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goldsboro Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Goldsboro median: $132,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goldsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $135,063 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -5.53% less |
Physician Assistants in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $132,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% below the North Carolina state average of $135,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goldsboro has a cost of living 11.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goldsboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.462 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $132,632 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,931 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,570
2025 BLS Actual
$128,370
2026 Current Est.
$132,632
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,035 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 22.8% from $104,570 (2019) to $128,370 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,035 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,465 (31.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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) | $100,737 – $119,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,045 – $132,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,632 – $134,151 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,151 – $196,298 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Goldsboro
With around 60 physician assistants currently employed in the Goldsboro area, the local job market reflects both stability and opportunities for advancement. The cost-of-living index in Goldsboro is rated at 88.462, indicating that the purchasing power for PAs in the region is somewhat enhanced compared to national figures. Employment opportunities with different institutions vary significantly; for instance, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic fields, generally offer higher pay than primary care settings. The disparity in earnings is largely driven by factors such as case volume and on-call requirements, where first-assist roles in surgical environments command premium compensations. To maximize earnings, physician assistants should consider aligning with higher-paying specialties, seeking hospital employment, and possibly negotiating contracts that incorporate productivity bonuses, especially for high-demand practices in the Goldsboro, NC area.
More salary data for Goldsboro, 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 $128,370 for physician assistantsin the Goldsboro 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