Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Evanston, IL: $65.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Evanston, IL runs $65.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,820 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Evanston's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,098 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $65.78, physician assistants in Evanston, Illinois earn slightly less than the national median of $67.50. This competitive hourly rate supports a variety of employment settings, including operating rooms, hospitals, urgent care facilities, and outpatient clinics. For part-time workers, such as those committed to three days a week, this translates to significant income potential, while per-diem and locum tenens opportunities can offer higher hourly rates, depending on the specialty. The wage range for physician assistants in Evanston spans from $46.18 at the entry-level to $94.29 for top earners, reflecting a diverse job market where experience and specialization can greatly influence compensation. These hourly rates are derived from the projected annual salary data for 2026, underscoring the financial viability of this growing profession.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.18 | $369.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.49 | $451.88 |
| Median (P50) | $65.78 | $526.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.18 | $649.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.29 | $754.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Evanston
Based on $65.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.78/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Evanston, IL can expect to earn approximately $136,830 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,941. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Evanston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Evanston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,631.35 | $11,403 | $136,830 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,578.81 | $6,842 | $82,098 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,052.54 | $4,561 | $54,732 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Evanston) | $65.78 |
| 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 Evanston, IL earn a median of $136,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $137,646.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.78/hr = $82,098/year (purchasing power: $84,550).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,830/year (purchasing power: $140,917).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Evanston grew 21.0% from $52.60/hr (2019) to $63.67/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.97/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 Evanston 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 Evanston
For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week can yield approximately $82,400 per year, a solid income compared to full-time positions. However, the allure of per diem physician assistant pay in Evanston can be enticing, particularly for those willing to work on an as-needed basis. Specialty areas such as orthopedics can command higher hourly rates, with surgical PAs often billing between $1,200 and $1,800 per day for operating room coverage. Variation in hourly pay exists across employer types, whether in hospital settings, private surgical practices, or urgent care centers. Many physician assistants must weigh the benefits of employer-provided health insurance against potentially higher hourly pay received as independent contractors. Negotiating for better pay can also hinge on understanding local economic conditions and prevailing rates, positioning aspiring physician assistants to advocate effectively for their worth within this vibrant job market in Evanston, IL.
More salary data for Evanston, 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 Evanston. 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 Evanston 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