Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $196,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Goldsboro, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $196,298/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Goldsboro's price premium (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $221,901 in average-cost America. The 48% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Senior physician assistants in Goldsboro, NC, can find exceptional earning potential in 2026, showcasing an impressive top-tier salary of $196,298 at the 90th percentile. This figure represents a significant gap when contrasted with the median annual salary of $132,632 for experienced professionals. The premium for senior PAs in Goldsboro reflects their advanced skills and experience, particularly in demanding roles such as surgical assistance, emergency medicine, or specialized hospital practices. Achieving such compensation requires a combination of extensive clinical expertise, advanced certifications, and mastery of high-demand specializations that can command noteworthy pay rates in the region, making these top earners well-positioned within the healthcare market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Goldsboro earn between $134,151 and $196,298 per year (2026 est.). This $95,561 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Goldsboro median of $132,632 sits 5.53% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Goldsboro | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $132,632 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,151 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $196,298 | $196,597 |
In Goldsboro, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 48.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Goldsboro
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $132,632 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Goldsboro employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Goldsboro command premium compensation, often reaching the $134,151–$196,298 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro 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 North Carolina 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 Goldsboro
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGoldsboro ranks #6 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $196,298).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Goldsboro ($196,298) is 12.29% above the North Carolina average P90 ($174,809).
2019 BLS Actual
$137,890
2025 BLS Actual
$189,990
2026 Current Est.
$196,298
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $189,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $196,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $202,815 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Goldsboro saw their compensation grow 37.8% from $137,890 in 2019 to $189,990 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 $202,815 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, certain specialties are known to drive higher compensation for seasoned physician assistants. Surgical PAs, particularly in disciplines like orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery, often see some of the highest salaries, supported by the ability to bill for first-assist cases. Additionally, senior positions in emergency medicine, critical care, and dermatology offer lucrative opportunities, particularly within hospital systems compared to private practices. Compensation structures vary widely depending on practice type; for instance, surgical specialty practices might provide more stability and benefits than 1099 locum roles. Advancing into leadership positions, such as becoming a chief PA or PA residency director, is feasible and can further elevate earning potential. To maximize senior physician assistant pay in NC, obtaining credentials from ARC-PA accredited programs, maintaining NCCPA certification, and considering additional qualifications in subspecialties can significantly benefit one's career trajectory in this competitive field.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Goldsboro in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Goldsboro?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Goldsboro?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Goldsboro?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Goldsboro?
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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 $189,990 for physician assistants in the Goldsboro 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, 7-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