Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Madison, AL: $146,929 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Madison, AL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $146,929/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Madison's price premium (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $167,155 in average-cost America. The 40% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madison, Alabama, the experienced physician assistant salary sees promising growth potential, especially for those navigating advanced career opportunities. With a median annual salary projected at $105,193 for 2026, top earners at the P90 level can expect to make as much as $146,929. This gap emphasizes the lucrative rewards for those with seven or more years of experience, showcasing a clear experience premium within the market. Achieving such high compensation often requires a combination of specialized skills, continued education, and strategic career choices. The potential for top-tier pay is particularly significant in high-demand specialties, allowing senior PAs to position themselves as key players in the healthcare landscape of Madison.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Madison earn between $127,185 and $146,929 per year (2026 est.). This $67,953 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Madison median of $105,193 sits 25.07% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Madison | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $105,193 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,185 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $146,929 | $196,597 |
In Madison, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 39.68% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Madison
Advanced Certifications in Alabama
AL physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $105,193 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Madison employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Madison command premium compensation, often reaching the $127,185–$146,929 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMadison ranks #8 of 24 Alabama cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $146,929).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Madison ($146,929) is 3.37% below the Alabama average P90 ($152,052).
2019 BLS Actual
$117,425
2025 BLS Actual
$142,208
2026 Current Est.
$146,929
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,425 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,031 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,642 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,891 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,208 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,929 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,807 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Madison saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $117,425 in 2019 to $142,208 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 $151,807 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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 Madison
Senior physician assistants in Madison can elevate their earnings significantly, particularly by specializing in areas that command premium pay. Surgical specialties, such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, consistently offer higher compensation, particularly for PAs who assist in operating rooms and perform first-assist roles. Other lucrative areas include emergency medicine and critical care, where PAs are integral to urgent patient scenarios. Compensation varies by employer type, with hospital systems typically providing W-2 employment structures while surgical practices and locum agencies may offer diverse payment models, including RVU productivity bonuses. Furthermore, leadership roles—such as a chief PA or residency director—often come with increased salary potential. Advanced credentials, including a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification, are vital for competitiveness. Those who excel in their fields may see non-salary compensation grow, derived from case volume, call coverage, and specialty focus, positioning them at the forefront of the senior physician assistant pay spectrum in AL.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Madison in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Madison?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Madison?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Madison?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Madison?
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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 $142,208 for physician assistants in the Madison 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 Madison 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