Healthcare Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Physician Assistant Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median physician assistant salary in Durham, NC is $119,710 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$119,710
vs State Avg
+$3,781
vs National
$-6,300
Cost of Living
95%

Physician Assistant Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median physician assistant salary of $119,710, which is $3,781 above the North Carolina state average of $115,929. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physician assistants in Durham spans from $79,800 at the 10th percentile to $165,300 at the 90th percentile — a $85,500 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $83,600, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $153,900. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physician Assistant Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $83,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $153,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$83,600
$-4,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$119,700
$-6,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$153,900
$-8,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $79,800
25th Percentile $100,700
Median (50th) $119,710
75th Percentile $143,450
90th Percentile $165,300

Physician Assistant Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$123,490
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$123,490
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$110,889
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$108,369
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Durham

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Durham

Browse open physician assistant positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Durham

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Durham, North Carolina is $119,710 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $79,800 (10th percentile) to $165,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $119,710, a physician assistant in Durham earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Durham's median physician assistant salary of $119,710 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $115,929. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $119,710 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Durham? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Durham require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.