Physician Assistant Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $126,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Spartanburg, SC earns a median $126,040/year (≈ $60.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Spartanburg's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $138,428 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Spartanburg, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $126,040, which reflects a notable 10.22% decrease when compared to the national median of $140,391 for the same year. Salary prospects in Spartanburg range significantly, starting from $103,031 at the lower end (P10) to $171,842 for those in the upper percentile (P90). This data, projected based on 2025 BLS OEWS analyses, highlights the discrepancies that exist within various specialties in the local market. Surgical specialties tend to offer higher compensation, positioning their PAs at an advantage in terms of earnings, compared to those working in primary care settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,031 | $49.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,388 | $55.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,040 | $60.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,713 | $65.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,842 | $82.61 |
Median Salary Position
10.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, SC, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,811 (2026 est.). At $126,040, the local median is 10.22% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spartanburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spartanburg Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Spartanburg median: $126,040/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spartanburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $127,442 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -10.22% less |
Physician Assistants in Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $126,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.22% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.10% below the South Carolina state average of $127,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spartanburg has a cost of living 8.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spartanburg, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.051 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $126,040 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,428 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.83% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,940
2025 BLS Actual
$121,990
2026 Current Est.
$126,040
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spartanburg metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 11.0% from $109,940 (2019) to $121,990 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,285 (18.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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) | $103,031 – $115,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,388 – $126,040 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,040 – $136,713 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,713 – $171,842 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Spartanburg
The local job market includes approximately 80 physician assistants, showcasing a steady demand for their skills in Spartanburg. With a cost-of-living index of 91.051, practitioners find that their earnings stretch further than in many other regions, positively impacting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic areas, generally provide the highest pay. The differences in compensation can be attributed to various factors such as specialty focus, first-assist case volume, and the nature of employment (W-2 vs. 1099). To maximize income in Spartanburg, PAs should consider positions in high-demand surgical settings or urgent care, and negotiate for productivity bonuses based on RVU metrics. Understanding these dynamics will empower physician assistants to navigate their career paths effectively in the local market.
More salary data for Spartanburg, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Spartanburg?
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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 $121,990 for physician assistantsin the Spartanburg 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