Physician Assistant salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Physician Assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $125,460 a year ($60.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,240 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 9% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $115,390. There are 1.6 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| 25th percentile | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Median | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| 75th percentile | $145,700 | $70.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,240 | $78.00 |
| Average (mean) | $133,630 | $64.25 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,455 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,227.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,825.38 |
| Weekly | $2,412.69 |
| Hourly | $60.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $125,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $125,500 | 130 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $122,670 | 120 |
| Rome, GA | $122,440 | 50 |
| Albany, GA | $122,170 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $121,600 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $117,240 | 350 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $117,030 | 80 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $111,810 | 3,970 |
| Gainesville, GA | $111,440 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Pharmacist | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,140 | $61.61 |
| Physicians, All Other | $235,360 | $113.15 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| Veterinarian | $123,320 | $59.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $281,100 | $135.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $217,050 | $104.35 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,080 | $48.59 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,890 | $45.14 |
| Dentists, General | $166,440 | $80.02 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $125,460 a year, or $60.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $162,240 a year. The top 25% earn $145,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,720 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $100,070 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 160 physician assistants are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.