Physician Assistant Salary in Corpus Christi, TX: $138,821 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Corpus Christi, TX earns a median $138,821/year (≈ $66.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Corpus Christi's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $149,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Corpus Christi, Texas, the projected physician assistant salary in 2026 is estimated at $138,821, which is slightly below the national median of $140,391. With a salary range that spans from $107,164 to $163,866, compensation reflects the diverse roles that PAs fulfill—particularly in the surgical specialty versus primary care gradient. This variation can significantly impact earnings, given that surgical PAs frequently have higher earning potential due to their responsibilities within operating rooms and first-assist engagements. The data derives from surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), providing a reliable foundation for prospective or current physician assistants considering their career paths in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,164 | $51.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,869 | $61.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,821 | $66.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,866 | $78.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,866 | $78.78 |
Median Salary Position
1.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, TX, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,702 (2026 est.). At $138,821, the local median is 1.12% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corpus Christi: You'd be above the median
How Corpus Christi Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Corpus Christi median: $138,821/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corpus Christi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $137,310 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -1.12% less |
Physician Assistants in Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $138,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.10% above the Texas state average of $137,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corpus Christi has a cost of living 7.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corpus Christi, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.671 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $138,821 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,800 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,004
2025 BLS Actual
$134,360
2026 Current Est.
$138,821
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,004 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,821 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $111,004 (2019) to $134,360 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,426 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corpus Christi 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) | $107,164 – $127,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,869 – $138,821 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,821 – $163,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,866 – $163,866 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Corpus Christi
An analysis of the local job market indicates that approximately 150 physician assistants are currently practicing in Corpus Christi, TX, making for a moderate yet potentially competitive landscape. The cost of living in the area is indexed at 92.671, suggesting that PAs may find their purchasing power is maximized due to lower costs compared to national averages. Employers such as surgical specialty practices, emergency departments, and major hospital systems typically offer the most lucrative positions, while primary care offices may present lower compensation. The disparity in pay within Corpus Christi can be attributed to factors such as specialty focus, case volumes, and employment structure—whether in hospital settings or private practices that may offer less stability but potentially higher rewards. To enhance earnings, PAs should consider focusing on high-demand specialties, seeking additional training that aligns with market needs, and evaluating job offers based on potential RVU productivity bonuses.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, TX:
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 $134,360 for physician assistantsin the Corpus Christi 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, 5-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