Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Southaven, MS: $159,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Southaven, MS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $159,876/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Southaven's price premium (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $186,553 in average-cost America. The 35% 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 Southaven, Mississippi, can expect substantial earnings as they reach the pinnacle of their careers. In 2026, the projected median annual salary is $118,354, but top earners in the 90th percentile can command up to $159,876, with the 75th percentile sitting at $139,835. This distinction between median and top-tier compensation highlights the significant experience premium associated with this role. To achieve such high earning potential, PAs must often specialize in demanding fields like surgical assistance or emergency medicine, develop advanced skills, and take on leadership responsibilities that elevate their professional profile.
About the Southaven Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southaven
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Southaven earn between $139,835 and $159,876 per year (2026 est.). This $69,352 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Southaven median of $118,354 sits 15.7% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Southaven | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $118,354 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,835 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $159,876 | $196,597 |
In Southaven, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 35.08% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Southaven
Advanced Certifications in Mississippi
MS physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $118,354 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Southaven employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Southaven command premium compensation, often reaching the $139,835–$159,876 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Southaven 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 Southaven 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 Mississippi 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 Southaven
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSouthaven ranks #5 of 20 Mississippi cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $159,876).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Southaven ($159,876) is 3.08% below the Mississippi average P90 ($164,953).
2019 BLS Actual
$127,773
2025 BLS Actual
$154,739
2026 Current Est.
$159,876
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,773 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,123 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,739 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,184 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Southaven saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $127,773 in 2019 to $154,739 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 $165,184 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southaven 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 Southaven
As the healthcare landscape evolves, certain specializations stand out in Southaven's market pay structure. Surgical physician assistants, particularly those involved in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to earn premium pay, while those in emergency medicine, dermatology, and critical care also see competitive compensation. Differences in employer structure influence salaries as well, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions that provide stability, while private practices, urgent care facilities, and 1099 locum agencies may deliver varied pay scales. Advancement into roles such as lead PA, PA program faculty, or even hospital chief PA is realistic for seasoned professionals, particularly for those with advanced certifications from accredited programs like ARC-PA. Furthermore, senior-level pay is often enhanced by additional factors like case volume, RVU productivity bonuses, and the specific nature of specialty practice, ensuring an intriguing balance of salary and non-salary compensation drivers for experienced physician assistants in MS.
More salary data for Southaven, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Southaven in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Southaven?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Southaven?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Southaven?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Southaven?
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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 $154,739 for physician assistants in the Southaven 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 Southaven 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