Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Columbus, GA: $58.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Columbus, GA runs $58.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,915 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,556 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, GA, the projected physician assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $58.14, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $67.50. This difference may impact prospective PAs considering part-time or per-diem positions in various medical settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. For those working three days a week, the hourly rate translates into a sustainable income while still allowing for flexibility outside of the standard full-time schedule. Entry-level PAs may earn around $44.56 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $67.05 per hour, reflecting a range that captures both early-career professionals and seasoned experts in the field, based on official BLS hourly data.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.56 | $356.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.56 | $356.50 |
| Median (P50) | $58.14 | $465.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.01 | $496.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.05 | $536.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $58.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.14/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, GA can expect to earn approximately $120,927 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,766. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,325.53 | $10,077 | $120,927 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,395.32 | $6,046 | $72,556 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $930.21 | $4,031 | $48,371 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Columbus) | $58.14 |
| 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 Columbus, GA earn a median of $120,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.87% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.20% below the Georgia state average of $126,216.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.14/hr = $72,556/year (purchasing power: $81,254).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,927/year (purchasing power: $135,423).
CoL index: 89.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+75.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Columbus grew 64.1% from $34.29/hr (2019) to $56.27/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.07/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Considering part-time opportunities, a physician assistant working 24 hours a week might anticipate an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts, yet still viable for those seeking work-life balance. Per diem positions can be lucrative, with agency locum PAs billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on specialty. Notably, orthopedic surgical physician assistants can earn daily rates of $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts can offer between $900 and $1,400 for 12 hours of work. The hourly rates can vary widely across different employer types in Columbus, including hospital systems and specialty practices, where W-2 employment may offer lower hourly pay but include benefits. A practical approach for negotiating hourly rates might suggest that PAs weigh the benefits of steady employment with insurance against earning higher hourly wages as independent contractors with 1099 statuses. Understanding local market dynamics, such as variations in pay for different medical specialties, can be essential for maximizing earning potential in Columbus’s healthcare sector.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Columbus in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Columbus?
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How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Columbus?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Columbus?
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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 Columbus. 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