Physician Assistant Salary in Mount Pleasant, SC: $129,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Mount Pleasant, SC earns a median $129,273/year (≈ $62.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Mount Pleasant's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $141,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The physician assistant salary in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is projected to be $129,273 in 2026, representing a competitive option for those considering this career path. The salary range for this role spans from $94,870 at the 10th percentile to $177,667 at the 90th percentile, indicating that both entry-level and highly experienced PAs can find opportunities that suit their financial expectations. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, making them relevant to local conditions. In Mount Pleasant, the choice between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 surgical practice can significantly influence earnings potential, reflecting the mix of healthcare offerings in this growing community.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,870 | $45.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,346 | $53.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,273 | $62.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,859 | $74.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,667 | $85.41 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant, SC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,797 (2026 est.). At $129,273, the local median is 7.92% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Pleasant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Pleasant Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Mount Pleasant median: $129,273/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Pleasant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $127,363 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -7.92% less |
Physician Assistants in Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $129,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $127,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Pleasant has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mount Pleasant, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $129,273 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,370
2025 BLS Actual
$125,119
2026 Current Est.
$129,273
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,252 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,905 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,723 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,769 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $103,370 (2019) to $125,119 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,195 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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) | $94,870 – $111,346 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,346 – $129,273 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,273 – $154,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,859 – $177,667 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Mount Pleasant
With only 19 physician assistants currently employed in Mount Pleasant, the job market remains competitive but advantageous for ambitious practitioners. The cost of living index sits at 91.5, indicating affordable living conditions compared to the national average, thus enhancing take-home purchasing power for PAs. Hospital systems and surgical specialty practices like orthopedics and cardiothoracic tend to offer the highest compensation, capitalizing on the first-assist capabilities of PAs. Variations in physician assistant pay in Mount Pleasant SC often result from differences in specialty, case volume, and employment structure, with surgical roles generally commanding better pay due to their complex nature. To maximize earnings, PAs should consider further training in high-demand specialties and network within local healthcare systems, leveraging opportunities that align closely with their skills and professional goals.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, SC:
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 $125,119 for physician assistantsin the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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