Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Winston, NC: $174,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Winston, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $174,828/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Winston's price premium (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $189,942 in average-cost America. The 29% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, experienced physician assistants in Winston, North Carolina, have the potential to earn top-tier salaries that significantly overshadow the median. The projected pay for top earners in this market is around $174,828, positioning them competitively not just within the state but also against national counterparts where top salaries reach $140,391. The disparity between the market's median annual salary of $135,070 and the high-end figures illustrates a considerable experience premium, emphasizing the value that PAs with significant clinical experience—typically those with seven or more years—bring to healthcare teams. Achieving such elevated salary levels often requires advanced skills, specialization, and a strategic career pathway that includes pursuing roles in prestigious environments where expert proficiencies directly correlate with compensation.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Winston earn between $149,266 and $174,828 per year (2026 est.). This $66,776 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Winston median of $135,070 sits 3.79% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Winston | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $135,070 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,266 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $174,828 | $196,597 |
In Winston, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 29.44% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Winston
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $135,070 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Winston employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Winston command premium compensation, often reaching the $149,266–$174,828 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Winston metro area, which is a large PA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Winston with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive 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 Winston
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedWinston ranks #31 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $174,828).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Winston ($174,828) is 0.01% above the North Carolina average P90 ($174,809).
2019 BLS Actual
$142,940
2025 BLS Actual
$169,210
2026 Current Est.
$174,828
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $160,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,632 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Winston saw their compensation grow 18.4% from $142,940 in 2019 to $169,210 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 $180,632 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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 Winston
Specializations in surgical disciplines, particularly in areas like orthopedics, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery, are known to attract premium compensation rates in Winston. Senior physician assistants engaged in emergency medicine, critical care, and hospital medicine also see notable earning potential, as these roles require specialized expertise. Variability exists in compensation depending on the type of employer; for example, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices typically offer W-2 positions with structured benefits, whereas urgent care chains and primary care offices might present 1099 opportunities that enhance autonomy but can also influence earnings patterns. Advancement paths can include leadership roles such as lead PA or positions in academic settings as PA program faculty. Additional qualifications, including a Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and NCCPA certification, can elevate earning potential, while non-salary incentives like productivity bonuses, case volume, and call coverage are significant factors in the overall compensation picture for experienced PAs in Winston, NC.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Winston in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Winston?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Winston?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Winston?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Winston?
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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 $169,210 for physician assistants in the Winston 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