Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Albertville, AL: $79,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Albertville, AL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,756 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Albertville's local price level (BEA RPP 87.9 — 12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $90,735 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,346) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Albertville, Alabama, can expect an entry-level salary around $79,756. This figure reflects the starting pay for early-career professionals, which is noticeably lower than the city's median annual salary of $103,346. For new PAs, significant growth potential exists as they gain experience, allowing them to move from the lower end of the salary spectrum through the first 3-5 years, with trajectories leading towards the 25th percentile salary of $97,449. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, the Albertville job market provides a gradually improving outlook for newly minted PAs, making it a reasonable choice for those just starting their careers in healthcare.
About the Albertville Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Albertville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albertville
Entry-level physician assistants in Albertville, AL typically start between $79,756 and $97,449 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,854 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,346 — 26.39% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Alabama of $55,000 represents just 68.96% of the starting physician assistant pay ($79,756/year) in Albertville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Albertville
- 1Research the Albertville market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $79,756 to $97,449, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in AL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Albertville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Albertville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Albertville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Albertville is $52,854 ( 66.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,756, experienced hygienists can earn up to $132,610.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,485
2025 BLS Actual
$77,193
2026 Current Est.
$79,756
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Albertville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,576 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,107 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,404 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Albertville, AL grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,485 in 2019 to $77,193 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,404. New graduates entering the Albertville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albertville 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.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Albertville
Employers in Albertville that typically hire new grad physician assistants include primary care facilities and urgent care centers, both of which offer structured onboarding processes to help recent graduates transition smoothly into the workforce. Surgical subspecialties often recruit through established residency and fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups may offer flexible night-only shifts. To enhance starting pay in Alabama, credentials like a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and a state PA license are essential. Additional qualifications, such as a DEA registration or a Certificate of Added Qualifications in subspecialties, can further boost potential earnings. Within the first few years in this profession, it's crucial for PAs to understand that their practice scope is determined by state law and the supervising physician's collaboration. Surgical roles, particularly in orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery, tend to offer the highest pay due to billing opportunities tied to first-assist duties. With a focus on career development, newly licensed PAs can expect steady salary growth by leveraging these strategies in the competitive Albertville market.
More salary data for Albertville, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Albertville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Albertville 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