Physician Assistant Salary in Florence, SC: $124,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Florence, SC earns a median $124,284/year (≈ $59.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $143,227 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Florence, SC, is projected at $124,284, which reflects a significant 3.32% growth in demand within the field. The salary range for this position varies widely, with the P10 earning $51,030 and the P90 reaching up to $139,079. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a competitive market for physician assistants. Notably, surgical PAs, particularly those involved in first-assist billing in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, often command higher wages than their counterparts in other specialties, with their compensation structure allowing for pronounced pay differentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,030 | $24.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,670 | $51.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,284 | $59.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,517 | $65.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,079 | $66.87 |
Median Salary Position
11.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,049 (2026 est.). At $124,284, the local median is 11.47% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Florence Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $124,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $127,340 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -11.47% less |
Physician Assistants in Florence, SC earn a median of $124,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.47% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.40% below the South Carolina state average of $127,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $124,284 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,227 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,220
2025 BLS Actual
$120,290
2026 Current Est.
$124,284
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,410 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 26.3% from $95,220 (2019) to $120,290 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,410 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,190 (34.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $51,030 – $107,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,670 – $124,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,284 – $136,517 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,517 – $139,079 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Florence
Employing approximately 90 physician assistants, the local job market in Florence remains steady amidst a cost of living index of 86.774, which is below the national average. This favorable index suggests that take-home pay may stretch further for practitioners in the area. Employers such as hospital systems, surgical specialty practices, and emergency departments typically offer the most attractive compensation packages. The disparity in wages can often be attributed to multiple factors, including specialty focus, case volume, call coverage, and RVU productivity incentives. For those looking to optimize their salary in Florence, pursuing employment with surgical specialty clinics and enhancing skill sets to include first-assist capabilities can significantly elevate earning potential and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Florence, SC in 2026?
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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 $120,290 for physician assistantsin the Florence 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