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Physician Assistant Salary in Mississippi: Is It a Good Career?

Mississippi · 2026 BLS salary data

Physician Assistant pay in Mississippi

The median wage is $105,920/yr — 22% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Mississippiis one of the lowest-paying states (#50 of 51).

The numbers in Mississippi

Real BLS state-level figures for Physician Assistant.

Median salary
$105,920/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$82,580 – $132,680
National median
$135,880/yr
Employed in Mississippi
320

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Mississippi

Salary alone can mislead — Mississippi costs 13% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
87
Nominal median
$105,920
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $121,747
State income tax
Up to 4.4%

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do physician assistant professionals make in Mississippi?

The median annual wage is $105,920 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $82,580 and $132,680. That's 22% below the national median.

Is Mississippi a good state for physician assistant?

By raw pay, Mississippi is one of the lowest-paying states (#50 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (Mississippi costs 13% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $121,747.

Are physician assistant professionals in demand in Mississippi?

About 320 people work in this field in Mississippi (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +20.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Physician Assistant nationally — Mississippi pay is 22% below the national median. See the full Physician Assistant career guide →

The verdict

Yes — physician assistant offers near-physician-level pay and scope with far less training than medical school, plus very fast growth. The catch is a competitive, demanding master's program and significant debt.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay with much-faster-than-average growth
  • Broad medical scope without med school or residency
  • Flexibility to switch specialties
  • Strong job security and demand
  • Shorter path than becoming a physician

Cons

  • Competitive, intense master's program
  • Significant graduate debt
  • High responsibility and liability
  • Demanding hours in some specialties
  • Prerequisite clinical hours before applying

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting medical work without med school
  • Those who can handle a rigorous graduate program
  • Anyone valuing specialty flexibility

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to take on graduate debt
  • Those seeking a quick, low-barrier entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Physician Assistant is worth it — titles link to the original threads.