HealthcareUpdated Q1 2026

Physician Assistant Salary
in Cary, NC

Practice medicine under physician supervision β€” diagnosing, treating, and prescribing. Median salary in Cary: $146K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$146K
per year
Take-home: $96K

Salary range in Cary

Entry level (25th)$121,000
Median (50th)$146,000
Senior (75th)$174,000
Top earner (90th)$207,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Cary, North Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Cary

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

12% premium vs national median

Physician Assistants in Cary earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $16,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Cary's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Primarily on-site role

Only 5% of Physician Assistant positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Cary salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Cary

Median salary
$146K
annual
Take-home pay
$96K
after fed/state tax
COL index
112
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,700
per month
YoY growth
+4.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Cary Physician Assistant to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $174K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Cary

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Physician Assistant salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$122K$137K$152K$167K$182K201920212023202520272029
2026
$153K
projected
2027
$159K
projected
2028
$167K
projected
2029
$174K
projected
2030
$182K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$153,000+$7,000
2028 projected$159,000+$13,000
2029 projected$167,000+$21,000
2030 projected$174,000+$28,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Physician Assistant Salary in Cary, North Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Physician Assistant salary in Cary, NC is $146,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Cary–NC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Physician Assistant in Cary

Entry-level Physician Assistants in Cary with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $121,000 and $146,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $146,000 to $174,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $174,000 to $207,000 or more.

Cost of living in Cary for Physician Assistants

Cary has a cost of living index of 112 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Cary are close to the national average. North Carolina has a 4.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Physician Assistant

Master's in Physician Assistant Studies; PA-C certification. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Physician Assistant salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Cary (current)$146K112
Charlotte$133K100
Raleigh$137K102
Greensboro$114K88
Durham$140K100
Winston-Salem$111K85