Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Albertville, AL: $132,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Albertville, AL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $132,610/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Albertville's price premium (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $150,865 in average-cost America. The 28% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, experienced physician assistants in Albertville, Alabama, can expect to see significant salary potential, particularly for those at the top of the pay scale. The highest earners in this category can make $132,610 annually, with the 75th percentile earning around $119,240. This gap between the median salary of $103,346 and the top-tier compensation highlights the premium associated with experience and specialization in fields such as surgical assistance or emergency medicine. To reach these upper echelons of pay, PAs typically must take on additional responsibilities, seek certifications, and potentially advance into leadership roles, where both experience and proven capabilities drive their compensation.
About the Albertville Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albertville
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Albertville earn between $119,240 and $132,610 per year (2026 est.). This $52,854 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Albertville median of $103,346 sits 26.39% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Albertville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $103,346 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,240 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $132,610 | $196,597 |
In Albertville, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 28.32% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Albertville
Advanced Certifications in Alabama
AL physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $103,346 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Albertville employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Albertville command premium compensation, often reaching the $119,240–$132,610 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Albertville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Albertville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Alabama who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Albertville
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedAlbertville ranks #22 of 24 Alabama cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $132,610).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Albertville ($132,610) is 12.79% below the Alabama average P90 ($152,052).
2019 BLS Actual
$105,982
2025 BLS Actual
$128,349
2026 Current Est.
$132,610
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Albertville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,401 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,202 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,067 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,013 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Albertville saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $105,982 in 2019 to $128,349 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $137,013 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albertville 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Albertville
Delving deeper into the factors affecting senior physician assistant pay in AL, specializations can greatly influence earnings. Surgical physician assistants, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, command some of the highest salaries due to the complexity and value of their roles, which often include first-assisting in surgeries. Employment setting also affects compensation; hospital systems may offer stable salaries, while private practices might provide higher pay but involve different benefits structures. Leadership roles such as lead PA or program faculty positions can also lead to enhanced earning potential. Additionally, securing advanced credentials and being involved in high-volume first-assist cases can further drive compensation. Non-salary compensation, such as RVU productivity bonuses or call coverage incentives, may also play a significant role in overall earnings for senior physician assistants in Albertville.
More salary data for Albertville, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Albertville in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Albertville?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Albertville?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Albertville?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Albertville?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $128,349 for physician assistants in the Albertville metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Albertville 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