Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $63.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Chicago, IL runs $63.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,313 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at $63.55, which is below the national median of $67.50 per hour. This rate implies that part-time workers, such as those on a typical three-day workweek, can expect to earn approximately $63,000 annually if working an average of 24 hours per week. The hourly pay can vary significantly; entry-level physician assistants can expect around $52.24 per hour, while experienced professionals in the top percentile can earn as much as $81.56 per hour. Such earnings reflect the diverse roles in medical settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities, where these professionals are highly sought after. This data is rooted in projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, giving a clear picture of what to expect in 2026.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.24 | $417.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.99 | $487.92 |
| Median (P50) | $63.55 | $508.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.32 | $578.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.56 | $652.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $63.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.55/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $132,188 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,263. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,542.09 | $11,016 | $132,188 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,525.25 | $6,609 | $79,313 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,016.83 | $4,406 | $52,875 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Chicago) | $63.55 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $132,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.84% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.90% below the Illinois state average of $137,552.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.55/hr = $79,313/year (purchasing power: $76,561).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,188/year (purchasing power: $127,601).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Chicago grew 24.6% from $49.38/hr (2019) to $61.51/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.66/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Considering part-time earnings, a physician assistant working three days a week (24 hours) would take home about $63,000 annually, showcasing a potential trade-off where full-time roles may yield higher health benefits but demand a more rigid schedule. Those seeking flexibility often pursue per diem opportunities, which can range from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on the specialty. In surgical fields, particularly orthopedics, PAs can bill upwards of $1,800 for daily operating room coverage. However, hourly rates can fluctuate across different types of employers in Chicago, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions while specialty practices may provide better hourly rates at the expense of healthcare benefits. PAs should weigh the stability of structured hours against freelance work, where rates can be higher but come with associated risks. Practical negotiation tips for hourly workers can include highlighting specialized skills or asking about pay differentials based on the setting to maximize earnings across various roles in the healthcare system.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 Chicago. 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