How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical Physician Assistant in North Carolina earns about $62.19 per hour, or $129,360 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $10,780 a month and $2,488 a week. Those are the typical figures across the state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

That figure sits 5% below the national typical pay of $135,880 for Physician Assistants, and North Carolina ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories on this measure. About 7,490 Physician Assistants work across the state, a workforce large enough to make these figures a reliable picture of local pay. That statewide figure sets the baseline before looking at how pay shifts by experience and city.

Entry-level Physician Assistants in North Carolina typically start around $48.60 an hour, or about $101,100 a year, with earners in the next band making closer to $110,320. Pay tends to move up toward the typical figure of $129,360 within a few years on the job. Newer graduates should expect these figures early on, with room to grow as experience builds.

Experienced Physician Assistants in North Carolina often earn upwards of $140,030 a year, and the top 10% make over $164,770. That leaves a spread of $63,670 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years on the job, and city all factor into where an individual PA lands within that range.

North Carolina's typical Physician Assistant pay rose from $95,530 in 2015 to $129,360 in 2025, a gain of $33,830 over the decade. That amounts to a 35% increase in typical annual pay over ten years. The rise was steady rather than a single jump, reflecting broader wage growth across the profession.

Nationally, Physician Assistant pay rose 38% over the same decade, slightly ahead of North Carolina's pace. Pay for Physician Assistants in the state has moved up consistently rather than staying flat. Someone entering the field now starts from a higher base than a decade ago, though future gains are not guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in the Greenville metro area, where Physician Assistants typically earn $142,950 a year, about 11% above the state figure. Fayetteville follows at $134,300, and Charlotte comes in third among metro areas at $133,140 a year. These figures reflect each metro area as a whole, not just the core city.

At the other end, Burlington pays the least among the state's metro areas, with Physician Assistants typically earning $113,200 a year, a spread of $29,750 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. Charlotte carries the largest Physician Assistant workforce in the state, at 1,680 workers. Lower pay in areas like Burlington usually tracks a lower cost of living rather than anything else.

Among neighboring states, Virginia pays Physician Assistants more, at $135,940 a year, about 5% above North Carolina's figure. South Carolina ($122,490), Tennessee ($118,240), and Georgia ($115,390) all pay less, with Georgia trailing furthest at about 11% below North Carolina. Physician Assistant licensure earned in North Carolina can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Physician Assistants in North Carolina typically earn $129,360 a year, up 35% over the past decade from $95,530 in 2015. Pay varies by city and experience, from entry-level figures near $101,100 to over $164,770 among the top 10% of earners. Readers weighing a move or a new license should check North Carolina's PA licensing board for current requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures.