Physician Assistant Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find PA Opportunities in the City

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major healthcare hubs, which makes it a strong market for physician assistant (PA) jobs. Whether you’re a new grad, an experienced PA relocating to Atlanta, or a student planning ahead, understanding how the Atlanta PA job market works can help you move faster and more confidently.

This guide focuses specifically on PA jobs in Atlanta, Georgia—where they are, what employers look for, how salaries and schedules typically work, and where to go locally for help and networking.

Overview of the PA Job Market in Atlanta

Atlanta’s healthcare scene is anchored by large hospital systems, specialty clinics, and growing outpatient networks. For PAs, that usually means:

• Consistent demand in primary care, urgent care, and hospital medicine
• Specialty opportunities in cardiology, orthopedics, surgery, oncology, and more
• Urban + suburban options, from Downtown/Midtown to areas like Sandy Springs, Decatur, and Marietta

Common settings for PA jobs in Atlanta include:

• Large hospital systems (inpatient and outpatient)
• Specialty practices (orthopedics, cardiology, dermatology, GI, etc.)
• Urgent care and retail clinics
• Community health centers and public health clinics
• Academic medical centers with teaching and research components

Atlanta’s size also means shifts can vary widely—traditional weekday office schedules, 7-on/7-off hospitalist roles, overnight ED coverage, and part-time or PRN work.

Major Employers Hiring PAs in Atlanta

While job postings change constantly, certain employer types consistently hire PAs in the Atlanta area.

1. Hospital & Health System PA Jobs

Some of the largest PA employers around Atlanta include:

• Emory Healthcare – Multiple hospitals and clinics across Atlanta; roles in surgery, hospital medicine, primary care, and subspecialties.
• Grady Health System – Large safety-net hospital near Downtown with a busy ED and trauma center; PAs often work in emergency, internal medicine, and specialty services.
• Piedmont Healthcare – Several hospitals and clinics in Atlanta and nearby suburbs; PAs work in cardiology, surgery, primary care, and hospital medicine.
• Wellstar Health System – While based slightly outside central Atlanta, Wellstar operates hospitals and clinics that employ PAs in suburban and metro areas.

These systems typically post jobs on their own career pages plus general job boards. Many also use centralized HR teams, so job titles, descriptions, and application processes tend to be standardized.

2. Private Practices & Specialty Clinics

Across Atlanta, PAs work in:

• Orthopedic and sports medicine practices (common around Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and near major hospitals)
• Cardiology and vascular clinics
• Dermatology and plastic surgery practices
• Gastroenterology and endoscopy centers
• Oncology and hematology groups

These positions can offer more predictable hours but may expect procedure skills, first-assist experience, or specialty-specific knowledge.

3. Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Retail Clinics

In metro Atlanta, PAs frequently staff:

• Family medicine and internal medicine clinics
• Urgent care centers
• Walk-in and retail health clinics inside pharmacies or big-box stores

These are often good fits for PAs who value broad clinical exposure, more direct patient interaction, and sometimes more flexible scheduling.

4. Public and Community Health PA Roles

For PAs interested in underserved communities or public health, opportunities may exist at:

• Fulton County Board of Health

  • Main Office: 10 Park Place South SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: (404) 613-1205

• DeKalb County Board of Health

  • Administrative Office: 445 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Phone: (404) 294-3700

• Community health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across Atlanta neighborhoods

These roles may emphasize chronic disease management, preventive care, and community outreach.

Common PA Specialties in Atlanta

Because Atlanta is a regional referral center, PAs can find jobs in many specialties. Some of the most common in the city include:

• Primary Care (Family Medicine/Internal Medicine) – Urban and suburban clinics; often weekday-heavy schedules.
• Emergency Medicine & Urgent Care – High-volume EDs and urgent care chains; shift work, evenings, weekends, and nights.
• Surgery (General, Ortho, Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgery, etc.) – OR first-assist, inpatient rounding, clinic follow-ups, and call.
• Hospitalist Medicine – Inpatient management, often using block schedules (e.g., 7-on/7-off).
• Cardiology & Cardiovascular Services – Clinic visits, diagnostics, inpatient consults, and sometimes procedural assistance.
• Oncology & Hematology – Infusion center coverage, follow-up visits, and care coordination.
• Dermatology – Clinic-based work, procedures, biopsies, and cosmetic support (depending on practice).

If you’re new to Atlanta, looking at job postings by specialty can quickly show where demand is strongest at a given time.

Licensing and Credentialing for PAs in Georgia

To work as a PA in Atlanta, you must be properly licensed and credentialed in Georgia.

Georgia PA Licensure Basics

PAs are licensed by the:

Georgia Composite Medical Board
2 Peachtree Street NW, 6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 656-3913

General requirements typically include:

• Graduation from an ARC-PA–accredited PA program
• Passing the PANCE (for initial licensure)
• Maintaining NCCPA certification (for ongoing practice, when required)
• Submitting application forms, fees, and supporting documents to the Board

Processing can take time, so many PAs begin the licensure process before or during their job search if they know they’re moving to Atlanta.

Collaborating Physician & Scope of Practice

In Georgia:

• PAs work under a delegating or supervising physician, with a job description specifying duties.
• Your scope can vary by setting—surgical PAs may be first assist; primary care PAs may diagnose, prescribe, and manage chronic conditions.
• Controlled substance prescribing requires appropriate state registration and DEA credentials.

Employers in Atlanta are accustomed to handling these details, but it helps to understand that your job offer and your final scope of practice are connected to state rules and the physician relationship.

Typical PA Schedules, Shifts, and Work-Life Balance in Atlanta

Work schedules vary widely by employer and specialty. Common patterns in Atlanta include:

• Clinic-based roles

  • Monday–Friday, roughly 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Occasional evenings or Saturdays, especially in urgent care or busy practices

• Hospitalist & inpatient roles

  • Block schedules such as 7-on/7-off
  • 10–12-hour shifts
  • Nights and weekends may be required

• Emergency medicine and urgent care

  • Rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights
  • Weekend and holiday coverage
  • Full-time often defined by total hours, not a set weekday pattern

• Surgical specialties

  • Early mornings for OR start times
  • Variable end times depending on cases
  • On-call rotations and weekend rounding depending on the practice

Atlanta traffic and commute times matter. Many PAs choose jobs:

• Close to home to avoid long rush-hour commutes, or
• Near MARTA lines or major arteries (like I-75, I-85, GA-400, or I-285) to make the drive more manageable.

PA Salaries and Benefits: What to Expect in Atlanta

Exact pay varies by experience, specialty, employer type, and schedule, but in a large metro like Atlanta, PAs can commonly expect:

• Base salary adjusted upward for high-demand specialties (EM, surgery, hospitalist)
• Shift differentials for nights, weekends, or holidays in some settings
• Productivity or bonus structures in private practices and some hospital roles

Typical benefits often include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Retirement options (such as 401(k) or 403(b), sometimes with matching)
• CME allowance and paid CME days
• Professional dues or licensing reimbursement (varies by employer)
• Malpractice coverage, often with tail included in some systems

When comparing offers in Atlanta, factor in:

• Commute time and parking (some hospitals charge for parking)
• Call responsibilities
• Weekend and night requirements
• Opportunities for career growth, leadership, or specialty training

Where to Look for PA Jobs in Atlanta

Atlanta PAs typically find jobs through a mix of online searching, networking, and direct applications.

Online Job Boards and Employer Sites

Common strategies:

• Search large job boards using terms like “PA jobs Atlanta,” “physician assistant Atlanta GA,” or specific specialties (e.g., “orthopedic PA Atlanta”).
• Check careers pages for major hospital systems (Emory, Grady, Piedmont, Wellstar, and others).
• Include nearby suburbs in your search radius if you’re open to commuting.

Recruiters and Staffing Agencies

Some PAs in Atlanta work with:

• Permanent placement recruiters who specialize in advanced practice roles
• Locum tenens agencies for temporary or contract positions

This can be helpful if you’re open to a variety of settings and want help negotiating schedules or pay.

Direct Networking in Atlanta

In a healthcare-focused city like Atlanta, local connections often matter. Consider:

• Staying in touch with preceptors from clinical rotations (if you trained in GA or the Southeast)
• Networking with PAs and physicians you meet through rotations, conferences, or hospital events
• Reaching out politely to practice managers or department administrators with a concise CV and interest letter

Local Resources and Professional Support for Atlanta PAs

Using local organizations can give you insight into the Atlanta market, regulatory changes, and job openings.

Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA)

Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA)
Commonly supports PAs statewide with:

• Conferences and CME events (often drawing Atlanta-area employers)
• Advocacy and updates on Georgia PA practice laws
• Networking opportunities and job postings

While based in Georgia generally, many activities naturally involve Atlanta PAs and employers.

Georgia Composite Medical Board – Atlanta Office

For licensing questions, forms, and regulations:

Georgia Composite Medical Board
2 Peachtree Street NW, 6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 656-3913

This is the main regulatory body overseeing PA licensure and scope in Georgia.

Career Services and Academic Connections

If you attended PA school in Georgia or nearby, your program’s career office may:

• Connect you with alumni practicing in Atlanta
• Share job postings from local employers
• Offer help editing your CV or preparing for interviews tailored to the Atlanta market

Practical Tips for Landing a PA Job in Atlanta

A few Atlanta-specific strategies can make your search smoother:

1. Be clear about your preferred geography.
Atlanta traffic is a real factor. Decide whether you prefer:

• Intown (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead)
• East (Decatur, Stone Mountain)
• North (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta)
• West or South metro areas

Mentioning your preferred area in applications or interviews can show you’ve thought through logistics.

2. Tailor your resume to the job setting.
Highlight:

• Hospital rotations and procedures for inpatient or surgical roles
• Broad outpatient and chronic disease experience for primary care
• High-acuity or fast-paced experience for ED and urgent care

3. Prepare for common interview questions.
Atlanta employers often ask about:

• Flexibility with shifts and weekends
• Comfort level with diverse patient populations
• Teamwork with physicians, NPs, nurses, and support staff
• Long-term goals and whether you plan to stay in the Atlanta area

4. Consider starting in a broader role.
If you’re new to practice or new to Atlanta, starting in:

• Primary care or
• Hospitalist medicine

can give broad experience and help you build connections before transitioning to a narrower specialty.

Sample Snapshot: Comparing Common PA Job Types in Atlanta

What Someone Seeking “PA Jobs Atlanta” Should Do Next

If you are actively looking for PA jobs in Atlanta, you can:

1. Confirm your Georgia licensure status or start the process with the Georgia Composite Medical Board if needed.
2. Identify your top 2–3 preferred specialties and whether you want hospital, clinic, or mixed work.
3. Search job boards using “physician assistant Atlanta GA” plus your specialty.
4. Check major Atlanta health system career pages and set up alerts.
5. Reach out to local PAs, physicians, or preceptors for insight on specific employers, schedules, and work culture.
6. Consider attending Georgia PA association events or local CME activities where Atlanta employers may be present.

By focusing on Atlanta’s specific healthcare landscape—its hospital systems, specialties, commute patterns, and licensing rules—you can target PA positions that match both your professional goals and your day-to-day life in the city.