Physician Assistant salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Physician Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $127,210 a year ($61.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,040 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $129,360. There are 1.2 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $128,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,870 | $48.50 |
| 25th percentile | $108,330 | $52.08 |
| Median | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| 75th percentile | $135,520 | $65.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,040 | $75.98 |
| Average (mean) | $128,280 | $61.67 |
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 | $10,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,300.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,892.69 |
| Weekly | $2,446.35 |
| Hourly | $61.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $127,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $142,950 | 190 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $134,300 | 220 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $133,140 | 1,680 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $132,670 | 740 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $131,770 | 130 |
| Wilmington, NC | $131,270 | 270 |
| Asheville, NC | $131,260 | 460 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $130,730 | 730 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $128,370 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $126,430 | 780 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $124,300 | 1,220 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $120,540 | 420 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $116,930 | 50 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $116,300 | 60 |
| Burlington, NC | $113,200 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $127,210 a year, or $61.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $158,040 a year. The top 25% earn $135,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,870 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $108,330 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 190 physician assistants are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.