Physician Assistant Salary in Kannapolis, NC: $136,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Kannapolis, NC earns a median $136,303/year (≈ $65.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Kannapolis's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $145,623 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant salary in Kannapolis, NC, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $136,303, slightly falling below the national median of $140,391. The full salary range for this position in the area spans from $98,947 at the 10th percentile to $186,151 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. The compensation landscape varies significantly between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 surgical practice models, creating diverse opportunities for physician assistants in the region. Understanding these structures is vital, as they directly impact overall earnings, especially given the dynamic healthcare environment in Kannapolis.
About the Kannapolis Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,947 | $47.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,469 | $57.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,303 | $65.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,243 | $79.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,151 | $89.50 |
Median Salary Position
2.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kannapolis
In Kannapolis, NC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,204 (2026 est.). At $136,303, the local median is 2.91% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kannapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kannapolis Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Kannapolis median: $136,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kannapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $135,087 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.91% less |
Physician Assistants in Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $136,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $135,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kannapolis has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kannapolis, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $136,303 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,623 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,991
2025 BLS Actual
$131,923
2026 Current Est.
$136,303
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,991 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,456 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,923 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kannapolis metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $108,991 (2019) to $131,923 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,837 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kannapolis 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) | $98,947 – $119,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,469 – $136,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,303 – $165,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,243 – $186,151 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Kannapolis
With just 11 physician assistants employed in Kannapolis, the local job market remains relatively tight. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, which is below the national average, suggesting that salaries may stretch further in this community. Among local employers, hospital systems generally offer more stability and benefits compared to surgical specialty practices, which can provide higher pay but often involve 1099 arrangements. The disparity in compensation is influenced by factors such as the specialty of practice, first-assist case volume in surgical settings, and the presence of RVU productivity bonuses. For those looking to maximize their pay in Kannapolis, focusing on high-demand specialties like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery—in addition to actively seeking out lucrative contract opportunities—can lead to increased earnings.
More salary data for Kannapolis, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Kannapolis, NC in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Kannapolis?
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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 $131,923 for physician assistantsin the Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis 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