Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Sarasota, FL: $71.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Sarasota, FL runs $71.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $149,427 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Sarasota's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,654 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sarasota, Florida, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $71.84 in 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $67.50. This competitive hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time PAs, particularly those working three days a week or on a per-diem basis. Part-time PAs can expect to earn approximately $1,727 when working a typical 24-hour week, which makes this role appealing in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, urgent care clinics, and surgical suites. The hourly range in Sarasota stretches from $51.34 for entry-level positions to as much as $97.47 for highly experienced professionals, reinforcing the versatility and earning potential across different environments.
About the Sarasota Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.34 | $410.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.58 | $500.65 |
| Median (P50) | $71.84 | $574.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.14 | $681.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.47 | $779.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sarasota
Based on $71.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.84/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sarasota, FL can expect to earn approximately $149,424 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,206. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sarasota.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sarasota
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,873.54 | $12,452 | $149,424 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,724.12 | $7,471 | $89,654 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,149.41 | $4,981 | $59,770 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Sarasota) | $71.84 |
| 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 Sarasota, FL earn a median of $149,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.44% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 13.80% above the Florida state average of $131,306.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.84/hr = $89,654/year (purchasing power: $88,943).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $149,424/year (purchasing power: $148,238).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Sarasota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Sarasota grew 21.0% from $57.44/hr (2019) to $69.53/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.22/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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota
When considering part-time work, a physician assistant in Sarasota working three days a week could bring home an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still maintain a solid standard of living. Per diem physician assistant pay in Sarasota also reflects a variety of opportunities across specialties, with locum tenens PAs potentially billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, and orthopedic surgical PAs earning impressive rates of $1,200 to $1,800 per day for operating room coverage. However, hourly rates can differ considerably depending on the employer type—hospital systems may offer W-2 positions with benefits, while specialties like emergency medicine and dermatology can provide higher hourly pay on a 1099 basis. This trade-off can be crucial for PAs weighing job satisfaction and financial stability; while some may accept lower hourly wages for the security of health benefits, others are drawn to higher rates without them. Strategically negotiating these terms based on local market conditions is essential for maximizing earning potential in Sarasota's diverse healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Sarasota, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Sarasota in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Sarasota. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sarasota is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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