Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $64.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Fayetteville, AR runs $64.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,153 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,092 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the estimated median hourly pay for physician assistants (PAs) stands at $64.98 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $67.50 per hour. This hourly wage provides a solid income, particularly for part-time and per-diem positions often found in diverse settings such as operating rooms, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—this could translate to approximately $51,000 annually, making it an attractive option for those seeking work-life balance. The hourly pay rates in Fayetteville range from $51.81 at the lowest 10% to $80.56 for the highest earners, affording various entry-level and experienced PAs opportunities for financial growth in this competitive field. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, offering a reliable guide for aspiring and current physician assistants in the region.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.81 | $414.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.77 | $446.18 |
| Median (P50) | $64.98 | $519.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.95 | $631.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.56 | $644.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $64.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.98/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $135,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,974. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,599.12 | $11,263 | $135,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,559.47 | $6,758 | $81,092 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,039.65 | $4,505 | $54,062 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Fayetteville) | $64.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $135,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.73% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 9.20% above the Arkansas state average of $123,766.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.98/hr = $81,092/year (purchasing power: $88,768).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,154/year (purchasing power: $147,947).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Fayetteville grew 34.2% from $46.87/hr (2019) to $62.89/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.14/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Fayetteville
When considering the financial landscape, part-time physician assistants can strategically navigate their earnings. For a PA working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can be quite significant, but compared to full-time counterparts, it represents a different lifestyle choice. For those considering locum tenens or per diem physician assistant pay in Fayetteville, hourly rates can vary widely. For instance, locum PAs might command between $75 and $130 per hour based on their specialty, with surgical specialties potentially earning between $1,200 and $1,800 per day for operating room coverage. Each job type brings different benefits and trade-offs; PAs in hospital systems may enjoy stability and health insurance at a lower hourly payout, while those opting for agency work might earn higher wages but forego benefits. It is critical for Fayetteville-based PAs to negotiate effectively, considering not only their hourly rates but also the overall compensation package, including health insurance and retirement plans, to truly maximize their earning potential in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Fayetteville in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Fayetteville?
Are physician assistants in Fayetteville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Fayetteville?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Arkansas
Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Fayetteville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov