Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $55.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Atlanta, GA runs $55.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,320 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Atlanta, Georgia, earn a median hourly pay of $55.54, reflecting the local employment market dynamics against a national median of $67.50. This hourly rate translates well for part-time PAs who may work three days a week, allowing for a flexible schedule while still bringing in a respectable income. Per-diem positions in various settings, including emergency departments, surgical suites, and outpatient clinics, present a compensation range from $30.91 at the entry-level to as high as $85.50 for experienced practitioners in specialized roles. Operating in a city like Atlanta also enables physician assistants to work in various healthcare environments, from hospitals to urgent care centers, making it an attractive option for those looking to leverage their experience while earning competitive pay.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.91 | $247.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.91 | $247.31 |
| Median (P50) | $55.54 | $444.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.40 | $563.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.50 | $683.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $55.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.54/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $115,533 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,654. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,221.79 | $9,628 | $115,533 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,333.08 | $5,777 | $69,320 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $888.72 | $3,851 | $46,213 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Atlanta) | $55.54 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $115,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.71% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.50% below the Georgia state average of $126,254.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.54/hr = $69,320/year (purchasing power: $69,280).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,533/year (purchasing power: $115,466).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Atlanta grew 6.7% from $50.38/hr (2019) to $53.76/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.39/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
For those considering part-time opportunities in Atlanta, working as a physician assistant three days a week can lead to an annual take-home income reflective of a significant hourly rate, though typically lower compared to full-time wages. The more flexible landscape of locum tenens positions adds to the earning potential, especially as locum PAs can bill anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour based on their specialty. For instance, orthopedic surgical physician assistants can command daily rates of $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine practices may offer enticing shifts that pay between $900 to $1,400 for 12 hours. Hourly compensation can vary greatly depending on the employer type, with hospital systems generally providing steady benefits through W-2 employment, compared to 1099 arrangements with higher pay but fewer benefits. Physician assistants must evaluate these trade-offs when negotiating contracts, and many often weigh the advantages of securing health insurance against the appeal of higher hourly rates without benefits. Engaging in vigilant negotiation and research into prevailing rates across different specialties will be crucial for maximizing earning potential in Atlanta’s competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Atlanta. 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