Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Marietta, GA: $174,804 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Marietta, GA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $174,804/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Marietta's price premium (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $187,759 in average-cost America. The 41% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physician assistants in Marietta can expect a competitive compensation package that underscores the value of extensive experience and specialized skills. In 2026, top earners in this region will see salaries soar to $174,804, while the 75th percentile will provide a robust $150,861, showcasing a significant earning potential for those who have dedicated over seven years to their careers. The median annual salary for experienced physician assistants in Marietta is projected to be $123,929, highlighting a considerable gap that reflects the experience premium within this job market. Reaching such top-tier pay typically requires advanced training, such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and additional specialized credentials that establish expertise in high-demand areas.
About the Marietta Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marietta
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Marietta earn between $150,861 and $174,804 per year (2026 est.). This $80,397 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Marietta median of $123,929 sits 11.73% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Marietta | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $123,929 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $150,861 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $174,804 | $196,597 |
In Marietta, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 41.05% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Marietta
Advanced Certifications in Georgia
GA physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $123,929 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Marietta employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Marietta command premium compensation, often reaching the $150,861–$174,804 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Marietta 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 Marietta 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 Georgia 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 Marietta
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMarietta ranks #6 of 39 Georgia cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $174,804).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Marietta ($174,804) is 0.26% above the Georgia average P90 ($174,352).
2019 BLS Actual
$139,703
2025 BLS Actual
$169,187
2026 Current Est.
$174,804
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Marietta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,703 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,371 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,483 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,858 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,566 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,804 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,608 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Marietta saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $139,703 in 2019 to $169,187 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 $180,608 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marietta 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 Marietta
Several factors drive premium compensation for senior physician assistants in Marietta, particularly specialization in high-stakes fields like surgical orthopedics, critical care, and emergency medicine. Surgical PAs, especially in areas like cardiothoracic and neurosurgery, often command significantly higher salaries due to the first-assist billing model. Employer types also play a crucial role in compensation variability; for instance, hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment which may include benefits and bonuses, while surgical specialty practices and urgent care centers often adhere to a different pay structure with potential 1099 arrangements. Career advancement opportunities abound for experienced professionals, with paths leading to director roles in PA programs, hospital chief PA positions, and leadership roles within the AAPA. Obtaining advanced credentials, such as the NCCPA certification and potentially a Certificate of Added Qualifications in specific subspecialties, can further boost earning potential. Additionally, factors like call coverage, case volume, and RVU productivity bonuses significantly influence senior physician assistant pay in GA, providing avenues for increased income beyond base salary.
More salary data for Marietta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Marietta in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Marietta?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Marietta?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Marietta?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Marietta?
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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 $169,187 for physician assistants in the Marietta 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 Marietta 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