Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Pelham, AL: $130,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Pelham, AL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $130,564/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Pelham's price premium (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $148,537 in average-cost America. The 31% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those pursuing a senior physician assistant role in Pelham, AL, earning significant compensation is achievable. In 2026, top earners, represented by the 90th percentile, can expect to see salaries as high as $130,564, reflecting the substantial experience premium available in the market. This noteworthy figure illustrates the gap between the median annual salary of $99,775 and the lucrative earnings potential for those with advanced expertise and specialization. Achieving this top-tier pay often requires embracing a focused specialty within medicine, such as orthopedics or emergency medicine, along with a deep commitment to ongoing professional development and key credentialing, including the NCCPA national certification.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Pelham earn between $116,986 and $130,564 per year (2026 est.). This $51,051 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Pelham median of $99,775 sits 28.93% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Pelham | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $99,775 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,986 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $130,564 | $196,597 |
In Pelham, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 30.86% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Pelham
Advanced Certifications in Alabama
AL physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $99,775 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Pelham employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Pelham command premium compensation, often reaching the $116,986–$130,564 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Pelham 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 Pelham 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 Pelham
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedPelham ranks #24 of 24 Alabama cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $130,564).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Pelham ($130,564) is 14.13% below the Alabama average P90 ($152,052).
2019 BLS Actual
$104,347
2025 BLS Actual
$126,369
2026 Current Est.
$130,564
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,347 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,328 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,652 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,425 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,899 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Pelham saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $104,347 in 2019 to $126,369 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 $134,899 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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 Pelham
When analyzing the factors affecting senior physician assistant pay in Pelham, it's crucial to appreciate the influence of specialization. PAs specializing in surgical fields, especially orthopedics, critical care, and interventional cardiology, consistently command higher salaries due to their skill set, which often includes first-assist responsibilities in surgical settings. Compensation can substantially vary across employment types; for instance, those employed by hospital systems typically receive W-2 wages, whereas surgical practices may offer 1099 arrangements. With pathways available for leadership positions, such as becoming a PA program faculty member or hospital chief PA, experienced professionals can further elevate their career trajectories. Advanced education, specifically a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, paired with specialized certifications, can also significantly enhance earning potential, while non-salary compensatory factors, including RVU productivity bonuses and call coverage incentives, contribute to senior pay dynamics in this region.
More salary data for Pelham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Pelham in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Pelham?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Pelham?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Pelham?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Pelham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $126,369 for physician assistants in the Pelham 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 Pelham 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