Physician Assistant Salary in Anderson, SC: $130,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Anderson, SC earns a median $130,344/year (≈ $62.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Anderson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $142,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Anderson, South Carolina, is projected to reach a median of $130,344. These figures reflect a broad salary range from $98,358 to $173,623, demonstrating how specialty focus significantly influences earnings. The projected data, derived from BLS state-level information and regional cost adjustments, suggests a crucial distinction in pay between surgical and primary care roles, with the former often commanding higher salaries. For individuals considering physician assistant roles in Anderson, understanding this gradient between different areas of specialty will be essential in assessing job opportunities and compensation expectations.
About the Anderson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,358 | $47.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,597 | $56.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,344 | $62.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,623 | $83.47 |
Median Salary Position
7.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anderson
In Anderson, SC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,265 (2026 est.). At $130,344, the local median is 7.16% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anderson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anderson Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Anderson median: $130,344/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anderson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $127,414 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -7.16% less |
Physician Assistants in Anderson, SC earn a median of $130,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.16% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.30% above the South Carolina state average of $127,414.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anderson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anderson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $130,344 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$104,226
2025 BLS Actual
$126,156
2026 Current Est.
$130,344
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Anderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,226 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,715 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,424 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,156 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,672 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anderson metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $104,226 (2019) to $126,156 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,446 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anderson 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) | $98,358 – $116,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,597 – $130,344 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,344 – $153,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,400 – $173,623 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Anderson
An examination of the local job market reveals that only five physician assistants are currently employed in Anderson, SC, which may indicate a more limited but potentially lucrative environment. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that residents can expect a more favorable purchasing power against regional expenses. Surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, typically pay the most among local employers, followed by emergency departments and urgent care chains. The disparity in compensation largely arises from case volume, call coverage requirements, and the structure of payment models, such as RVU productivity bonuses that differ between hospital employment and private practices. For those seeking to maximize their pay in this specific market, targeting surgical specialties and building expertise in high-demand areas may yield the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Anderson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Anderson, SC in 2026?
Is Anderson, SC a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Anderson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Anderson?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Anderson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $126,156 for physician assistantsin the Anderson 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 Anderson 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