Physician Assistant Salary in Indian Trail, NC: $127,806 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Indian Trail, NC earns a median $127,806/year (≈ $61.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Indian Trail's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $136,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistant salaries in Indian Trail, North Carolina, show a median annual compensation of $127,806. This figure places local earnings approximately 8.96% lower than the national median of $140,391, which may reflect the choices between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 positions in surgical practices. The salary range for physician assistants in the area varies significantly, starting at $96,947 (P10) and reaching up to $170,837 (P90). Such estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, indicating that while the local market offers competitive salaries, there is room for growth and specialization in certain practice settings that typically offer higher pay.
About the Indian Trail Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,947 | $46.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,700 | $55.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,806 | $61.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,530 | $73.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,837 | $82.13 |
Median Salary Position
8.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indian Trail
In Indian Trail, NC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,890 (2026 est.). At $127,806, the local median is 8.96% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indian Trail: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indian Trail Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Indian Trail median: $127,806/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indian Trail Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $135,101 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.96% less |
Physician Assistants in Indian Trail, NC earn a median of $127,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.96% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.40% below the North Carolina state average of $135,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indian Trail has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indian Trail, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $127,806 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,545 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,196
2025 BLS Actual
$123,699
2026 Current Est.
$127,806
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Indian Trail (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,196 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,635 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,714 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,364 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,806 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,049 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indian Trail metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $102,196 (2019) to $123,699 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,853 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indian Trail 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) | $96,947 – $114,700 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,700 – $127,806 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,806 – $153,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,530 – $170,837 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Indian Trail
With only eight physician assistants currently employed in Indian Trail, the local job market is relatively small but showing promise with a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%. The area's cost of living, indexed at 93.6, suggests that physician assistants may find their take-home purchasing power enhances significantly compared to areas with a higher cost of living. Among the various employers, surgical specialty practices such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery tend to offer the highest compensation, driven by the need for first-assist capabilities and higher case volumes. To optimize earnings, PAs should consider focusing on specialties that often feature RVU productivity bonuses and actively pursue positions in facilities most likely to utilize their advanced training. In this context, Indian Trail presents a compelling option for new graduates seeking to make their mark in the PA field.
More salary data for Indian Trail, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Indian Trail?
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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 $123,699 for physician assistantsin the Indian Trail 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 Indian Trail 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