Physician Assistant Salary in Dothan, AL: $107,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Dothan, AL earns a median $107,339/year (≈ $51.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $128,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the projected physician assistant salary for 2026 stands at $107,339, which is significantly lower than the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $98,412 at the 10th percentile to as high as $185,842 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected forward, illustrate the financial realities faced by PAs in the region. Particularly notable is the role of surgical PAs who, utilizing the first-assist billing model, often command higher compensation due to their involvement in surgeries, making them a key segment of the medical workforce in Dothan. With a current count of 40 physician assistants working in the area, the local demand and job market dynamics are influenced by both operational needs and the specialty areas of these professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,412 | $47.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,466 | $47.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,339 | $51.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,870 | $66.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,842 | $89.35 |
Median Salary Position
23.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,430 (2026 est.). At $107,339, the local median is 23.54% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Dothan Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Dothan median: $107,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $107,879 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -23.54% less |
Physician Assistants in Dothan, AL earn a median of $107,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.54% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.50% below the Alabama state average of $107,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $107,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,039 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,831
2025 BLS Actual
$103,890
2026 Current Est.
$107,339
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,224 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,918 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,391 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $85,831 (2019) to $103,890 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,072 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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) | $98,412 – $99,466 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,466 – $107,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,339 – $137,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,870 – $185,842 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Dothan
The local job market for physician assistants in Dothan presents a mixed picture, especially considering the cost-of-living index of 83.833, which falls below the national average. This relatively low cost of living allows for a better purchasing power despite the lower salaries when compared to national figures. In terms of employment sectors, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest pay. Other areas like emergency departments and urgent care may offer competitive salaries but typically lag behind surgical practices. The variation in pay is largely influenced by factors such as the specialty practiced, case volumes, on-call responsibilities, and whether PAs are employed by hospitals or operate as independent 1099 contractors. To maximize earnings in Dothan, aspiring physician assistants should consider engaging with high-volume surgical teams or pursuing specialties that are in demand, as these positions often come with additional incentives and performance bonuses.
More salary data for Dothan, 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
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 $103,890 for physician assistantsin the Dothan 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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