How much do Physician Assistants make in Charlotte compared to the national average?

The national median Physician Assistant salary is $117,526. In Charlotte, COL adjustments bring the median to $114,000.

What is the demand outlook for Physician Assistants in Charlotte?

Demand for Physician Assistants in Charlotte remains strong. The compensation range of $99,000 to $134,000 reflects competitive hiring.

What is the hiring process like for Physician Assistants in Charlotte?

Physician Assistant hiring in Charlotte involves 3 to 5 rounds over 2 to 4 weeks. Prepare with company research and Orbyt's Interview Prep tool.

Physician Assistant.

Charlotte.

$114,000

median salary, 3% below the national average

$99,000 to $134,000. Updated for 2026.

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The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Here is what Physician Assistants actually make in Charlotte: $99,000 at the 25th percentile, $114,000 at the median, and $134,000 at the 75th. That is 3% below the national average. Charlotte is the second largest banking center in the U. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$99,000

per year

Median

$114,000

per year

75th Percentile

$134,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$99,000$134,000

How Charlotte compares

Charlotte, NC

$114,000

Cost of living: 3% below average

National Average

$118,000

Charlotte is $4,000 below

What you should know

Before you negotiate a Physician Assistant offer in Charlotte, understand the terrain. Charlotte is the second largest banking center in the U.S. after New York, with Bank of America and Truist headquartered here. The city's financial services dominance creates strong demand for finance, tech, and operations professionals. Rapid population growth has expanded the tech sector, with fintech and enterprise software companies establishing offices. Surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest PA salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care. Geographic location matters significantly, with rural and underserved areas offering premium pay to attract talent. Experience in procedural skills and first-assist certification further boost compensation.

Entry-level PAs earn $95,000 to $105,000 in their first role. Mid-career PAs with specialty experience reach $120,000 to $135,000. Senior PAs in surgical specialties or leadership positions can command $145,000 to $165,000 with additional administrative responsibilities. In Charlotte, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

Base salary is not the full picture. PAs commonly receive productivity bonuses, CME allowances of $2,000 to $5,000 annually, malpractice insurance, and relocation assistance. Hospital systems often add shift differentials for nights, weekends, and call coverage. And on the tax side: north Carolina has a flat 4.5% state income tax. Charlotte has no city income tax. The moderate rate combined with low living costs makes net compensation very attractive. When someone quotes you $114,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Benchmark against banking sector pay scales. Even non finance roles in Charlotte benefit from the high compensation standards set by major banks headquartered here. The range for Physician Assistants in Charlotte runs from $99,000 to $134,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Charlotte

Banking & Financial ServicesEnergyTechnologyHealthcareMotorsports

Negotiating in Charlotte

Benchmark against banking sector pay scales. Even non finance roles in Charlotte benefit from the high compensation standards set by major banks headquartered here.

Common questions.

Surgical PAs earn 20 to 30% more than primary care PAs on average. Orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery PAs often exceed $140,000, while family medicine PAs typically fall in the $105,000 to $120,000 range.

Many PAs receive productivity bonuses tied to relative value units or patient encounters. These bonuses can add $5,000 to $20,000 annually, particularly in high-volume practices where PAs manage their own patient panels independently.

The national median for a Physician Assistant is $117,526. In Charlotte, cost of living adjustments push the median to $114,000. That discount reflects Charlotte's lower housing, transportation, and everyday costs.

Charlotte is the second largest banking center in the U.S. For Physician Assistants specifically, surgical subspecialties and emergency medicine pay the highest pa salaries, often 20 to 30% above primary care, which signals sustained demand. The current compensation range of $99,000 to $134,000 reflects a market that is competing for talent.

North Carolina has a flat 4.5% state income tax. Charlotte has no city income tax. The moderate rate combined with low living costs makes net compensation very attractive. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Physician Assistant hiring in Charlotte typically involves three to five rounds: a recruiter screen, a technical or skills assessment, one or two team interviews, and a final conversation with leadership. Companies in Charlotte's Banking & Financial Services sector may add domain specific evaluations. The process usually takes two to four weeks. Prepare by researching the company and practicing with Orbyt's Interview Prep tool.