Physician Assistant Salary in Auburn, AL: $105,475 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Auburn, AL earns a median $105,475/year (≈ $50.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $119,994 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Auburn, Alabama, the physician assistant salary trajectory is notably influenced by the choice between W-2 positions in hospitals and 1099 arrangements in surgical practices. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is set at $105,475, which is significantly lower than the national median of $140,391. Salary ranges for physician assistants in this area indicate diversity in compensation, with earnings potentially reaching $147,542 at the high end. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations, reflecting the complexities of the job market in Auburn, where roles in surgical specialties often lead to higher earnings compared to those in primary care.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,525 | $38.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,748 | $45.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,475 | $50.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,209 | $62.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,542 | $70.93 |
Median Salary Position
24.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, AL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,017 (2026 est.). At $105,475, the local median is 24.87% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn median: $105,475/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $107,848 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -24.87% less |
Physician Assistants in Auburn, AL earn a median of $105,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.87% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.20% below the Alabama state average of $107,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $105,475 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,994 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$84,340
2025 BLS Actual
$102,086
2026 Current Est.
$105,475
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,305 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,671 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,683 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,243 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,475 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,977 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $84,340 (2019) to $102,086 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,637 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,525 – $94,748 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,748 – $105,475 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,475 – $130,209 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,209 – $147,542 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Auburn
The local job market for physician assistants in Auburn consists of a relatively small pool, with only 16 PAs currently employed. This limited supply is coupled with a favorable cost of living index of 87.9, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the employers, surgical specialty practices usually offer the most competitive pay, driven by lucrative first-assist opportunities, particularly in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. In contrast, other medical settings, such as urgent care and primary care offices, typically provide lower compensation. The differences in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as call coverage, case volume, and productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings in this specific market, physician assistants should seek to enhance their skill set in high-demand specialties and consider seeking out employment opportunities that provide robust RVU productivity incentives.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Auburn, AL in 2026?
Is Auburn, AL a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Auburn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Auburn?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Auburn?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $102,086 for physician assistantsin the Auburn metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn 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