Physician Assistant salary in North Carolina
Physician Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $61.80 per hour, about $128,540 a year, 4% below the U.S. median of $64.07. The middle half earn between $52.94 and $66.93 per hour. The highest median among North Carolina metro areas is in Greenville, NC, at $66.32 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $61.80median pay per hour
- $128,540median pay per year
- 8,520physician assistants employed in North Carolina
- #34of 50 states by median pay
Physician Assistant pay in North Carolina: percentiles
| Level | North Carolina per hour | North Carolina per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $47.82 | $99,470 | $45.79 |
| Lower quartile | $52.94 | $110,120 | $54.70 |
| Median | $61.80 | $128,540 | $64.07 |
| Upper quartile | $66.93 | $139,210 | $77.00 |
| Top 10% | $77.63 | $161,470 | $87.60 |
Physician Assistant pay by metro area in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs North Carolina median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $66.32 | $137,940 | 170 | 7% above | $75.02 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $63.68 | $132,450 | 260 | 3% above | $69.23 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63.52 | $132,110 | 2,500 | 3% above | $65.25 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $63.26 | $131,570 | 800 | 2% above | $68.73 |
| Asheville, NC | $62.31 | $129,600 | 460 | 1% above | $64.57 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61.61 | $128,140 | 450 | in line with | $66.34 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $61.46 | $127,840 | 130 | 1% below | — |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61.27 | $127,440 | 100 | 1% below | $66.54 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $60.44 | $125,710 | 1,300 | 2% below | $61.57 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60.24 | $125,290 | 30 | 3% below | — |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60.20 | $125,210 | 810 | 3% below | $61.70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $59.80 | $124,390 | 320 | 3% below | $62.02 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $59.00 | $122,710 | 200 | 5% below | $66.68 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $54.30 | $112,940 | 40 | 12% below | $61.70 |
| Burlington, NC | $52.52 | $109,230 | 60 | 15% below | $56.35 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Physician Assistant pay in states next to North Carolina
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $52.88 | $109,990 | 14% below North Carolina |
| South Carolina | $57.31 | $119,190 | 7% below North Carolina |
| Tennessee | $54.80 | $113,990 | 11% below North Carolina |
| Virginia | $65.14 | $135,490 | 5% above North Carolina |
What employers are posting in North Carolina
- 5roles with published pay
- $52.88median pay per hour
- $43–$70typical published range
- 4employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| BrightSpring Health Services | 2 | $46.39 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $74.83 |
| Defense Health Agency | 1 | $61.73 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 1 | $49.49 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 5 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Physician Assistant jobs in North Carolina · Physician Assistant salary nationwide · North Carolina state guide · North Carolina licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a physician assistant make in North Carolina?
The median is $61.80 per hour, about $128,540 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $47.82 and the top 10% earn over $77.63 (BLS, May 2024).
Which North Carolina city pays physician assistants the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Greenville, NC has the highest median at $66.32 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does North Carolina rank for physician assistant pay?
North Carolina ranks 34th of 50 states by median physician assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
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1Pay for your role at other employers
- Duke University Health SystemMorrisville, NC · 1 wage offer$63.75/ hr$64–$64
- BrightSpring Health ServicesKINSTON, NC · 2 postings$46.39/ hr$32–$58
- Stanford Children's HealthPALO ALTO, CA · 4 postings$104.30/ hr$94–$115
- Valley Children's HealthcareMadera, CA · 3 postings$103.69/ hr$75–$123
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your North Carolina list
2What they are offering now
5 PA postings with published pay in North Carolina, 5 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 5 PA roles
- Physician Assistant (Podiatry)Permanent$115k–$196k/ year
- Physician AssistantPermanent$112k–$145k/ year
+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.