Physician Assistant Salary in Asheville, NC: $135,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Asheville, NC earns a median $135,618/year (≈ $65.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $140,528 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 stands at $135,618, slightly below the national median of $140,391. This compensation trend reflects the unique dynamics of the local healthcare market, particularly the influence of the first-assist billing model which allows surgical PAs, especially in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, to capture higher reimbursement rates. Within Asheville's competitive landscape, salaries range from $105,820 at the 10th percentile to as high as $180,159 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, provide valuable insights into how much physician assistants can expect to earn in this region, signaling a robust job market for this profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,627 | $60.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,618 | $65.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,762 | $69.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,159 | $86.61 |
Median Salary Position
3.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,339 (2026 est.). At $135,618, the local median is 3.4% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Asheville Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Asheville median: $135,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $135,078 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -3.40% less |
Physician Assistants in Asheville, NC earn a median of $135,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.40% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.40% above the North Carolina state average of $135,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $135,618 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,528 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,810
2025 BLS Actual
$131,260
2026 Current Est.
$135,618
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 26.4% from $103,810 (2019) to $131,260 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,310 (34.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $105,820 – $125,627 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,627 – $135,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,618 – $144,762 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,762 – $180,159 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Asheville
With approximately 460 physician assistants currently employed in Asheville, the job market is relatively steady, though the cost of living index at 96.506 suggests that take-home pay will stretch further than in many other areas. This favorable economic climate often draws attention from various types of employers, but it is typically surgical specialty practices and large hospital systems that offer the most competitive compensation. Key factors affecting salary disparities include specialty focus, case volume, call coverage expectations, and RVU productivity bonuses. Those looking to enhance their earnings may consider gaining experience in high-demand fields or seeking opportunities within hospital systems that utilize a W-2 employment model rather than independent contracting through 1099 structures. Understanding these nuances is essential for maximizing physician assistant pay in Asheville, NC.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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 $131,260 for physician assistantsin the Asheville 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, 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