Physician Assistant Salary in Atlanta, GA
Physician Assistants in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $111,810 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $82,308 take-home, or $6,859 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physician assistant salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,768
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,932
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,621
- Georgia income tax$5,180
- Take-home pay$82,308
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physician Assistant pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,230 | $29.92 | $49,575 | $4,131 |
| 25th percentile | $62,230 | $29.92 | $49,575 | $4,131 |
| Median (50th) | $111,810 | $53.75 | $82,308 | $6,859 |
| 75th percentile | $141,740 | $68.14 | $101,412 | $8,451 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,110 | $82.75 | $120,593 | $10,049 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $111,810 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physician assistant's $82,308 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,260 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.3× the national concentration of physician assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physician assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #12 of 12 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $137,240 | $105,070 | $106,530 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $167,650 | $117,004 | $103,945 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $134,900 | $103,470 | $100,369 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $125,230 | $93,016 | $98,252 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $135,640 | $99,812 | $97,326 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $134,650 | $100,142 | $96,928 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $161,890 | $108,987 | $95,968 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $131,830 | $96,020 | $95,734 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $111,810 | $82,308 | $82,260 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 12 metros →
About the job: physician assistants
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +21.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Atlanta, GA?
The median physician assistant salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $111,810 a year, or about $53.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,230 and $141,740.
What is a physician assistant’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $111,810 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $82,308 a year ($6,859 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,180 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $135,880. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,260 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #12 of 12 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physician assistant afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median physician assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $139,870
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $133,060
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,500
- Physical Therapist — $103,440
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $102,860
- Registered Nurse — $100,490
- Dental Hygienist — $100,370
- Respiratory Therapist — $95,520
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,710
- Surgical Technologist — $67,570
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $65,530