Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $63.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Tampa, FL runs $63.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,064 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,236 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $63.49. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $67.50, reflecting the unique economic environment of the area. For those working part-time at three days a week, the hourly earnings can provide a solid living, especially in critical healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. The hourly pay ranges from $48.94 at the entry level to $86.27 for the highest earners, offering a good opportunity for both full-time and per-diem roles. The official BLS data outlines these earnings expectations clearly, shedding light on what PAs can anticipate in their hourly compensation in the Tampa market.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.94 | $391.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.15 | $425.18 |
| Median (P50) | $63.49 | $507.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.34 | $610.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.27 | $690.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $63.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.49/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $132,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,188. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,539.61 | $11,005 | $132,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,523.76 | $6,603 | $79,236 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,015.84 | $4,402 | $52,824 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Tampa) | $63.49 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $132,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.93% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.60% above the Florida state average of $131,276.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.49/hr = $79,236/year (purchasing power: $78,537).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,059/year (purchasing power: $130,895).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Tampa grew 16.5% from $52.75/hr (2019) to $61.45/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.60/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
Considering the specifics of part-time work in Tampa, a physician assistant committed to a three-day workweek, or 24 hours, can still secure a respectable income annually, although not on par with full-time counterparts. For those pursuing per diem positions, rates can vary significantly; locum tenens PAs may earn between $75 and $130 per hour while specialized roles in orthopedics might enable billing upwards of $1,200 to $1,800 per day for operating room coverage. It’s essential to note that hourly rates fluctuate across employer types, whether in hospital systems as W-2 employees or 1099 locum arrangements. Physician assistants often make choices between accepting lower hourly rates with health benefits or higher rates without them, impacting their overall compensation strategy. As they evaluate opportunities, tactical negotiation becomes crucial, particularly in a competitive market like Tampa.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Tampa in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Tampa?
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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 Tampa. 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