Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Montgomery, AL: $149,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Montgomery, AL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $149,917/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Montgomery's price premium (BEA RPP 89.7, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $167,165 in average-cost America. The 42% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Montgomery, Alabama, the prospect for experienced physician assistants is promising, with top earners projected to command salaries as high as $149,917 in 2026. While the median annual salary stands at $105,428, ambitious PAs can find significant opportunities for increased earnings, particularly when specializing or assuming leadership roles. This experience premium shows a marked difference between the median figures and those at the 90th percentile, reflecting the advanced clinical skills and managerial capabilities that senior professionals bring to their roles. Professionals focused on climbing to the highest tier of compensation often engage in strategic career moves, seek out advanced certifications, and take on specialized clinical training aligned with evolving healthcare needs.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Montgomery earn between $115,098 and $149,917 per year (2026 est.). This $50,162 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Montgomery median of $105,428 sits 24.9% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Montgomery | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $105,428 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,098 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $149,917 | $196,597 |
In Montgomery, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 42.20% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Montgomery
Advanced Certifications in Alabama
AL physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $105,428 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Montgomery employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Montgomery command premium compensation, often reaching the $115,098–$149,917 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMontgomery ranks #4 of 24 Alabama cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $149,917).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Montgomery ($149,917) is 1.4% below the Alabama average P90 ($152,052).
2019 BLS Actual
$119,813
2025 BLS Actual
$145,100
2026 Current Est.
$149,917
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,813 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,893 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,202 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,895 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Montgomery saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $119,813 in 2019 to $145,100 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 $154,895 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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 Montgomery
Compensation for senior physician assistants can vary greatly depending on their specialization and the type of employer. In Montgomery, specializations in surgical fields like orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and neurosurgery typically command higher salaries compared to roles in primary care or urgent care settings. For example, those employed in hospital systems usually enjoy steady salaries and benefits, while surgical specialty practices may offer more lucrative pay structures due to first-assist case billing capabilities. Leadership ambitions also guide salary trajectories, as positions such as lead PA or hospital chief PA can bring significant pay increases. Moreover, advanced credentials, including a Master's degree from an accredited program and the NCCPA certification, further enhance earning potential. Non-salary compensation elements, such as RVU productivity bonuses and call coverage options, are also critical in defining the overall senior physician assistant pay landscape in AL.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Montgomery in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Montgomery?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Montgomery?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Montgomery?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Montgomery?
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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 $145,100 for physician assistants in the Montgomery 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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