Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $63.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Burlington, IA runs $63.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,826 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,094 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, physician assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $63.38, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $67.50. This discrepancy is particularly significant for part-time or per-diem physician assistants, who often work flexible schedules in various settings such as operating rooms, hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics. For those working three days a week, the hourly pay translates to a robust income potential, while entry-level positions can start at around $48.90 per hour and top earners may see rates rise to $83.79. Ultimately, this hourly pay structure provides an appealing framework for professionals looking to balance workload with personal commitments while catering to a diverse spectrum of healthcare needs in Burlington.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.90 | $391.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.47 | $459.73 |
| Median (P50) | $63.38 | $507.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.65 | $597.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.79 | $670.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $63.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.38/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $131,823 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,052. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,535.06 | $10,985 | $131,823 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,521.04 | $6,591 | $79,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.02 | $4,394 | $52,729 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Burlington) | $63.38 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $131,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $137,319.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.38/hr = $79,094/year (purchasing power: $87,493).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,823/year (purchasing power: $145,822).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Burlington grew 21.0% from $50.68/hr (2019) to $61.34/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.48/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Analyzing the earning potential of a part-time physician assistant in Burlington can yield some interesting insights. If a PA works 24 hours weekly at the aforementioned hourly rate, their annual income would reflect the time commitment without needing to commit to a full-time role, allowing for significant work-life balance. For those looking at per diem roles, there’s an enticing opportunity to earn anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, especially in high-demand specialties like orthopedics and emergency medicine, where daily rates can spike to $1,200 to $1,800. Various employment types affect hourly pay nuances, with hospitals typically offering stable W-2 positions and specialty practices leaning towards more lucrative contract roles. This situation provides a trade-off between salary and benefits such as health insurance. Therefore, negotiation strategies are crucial; aligning expectations with local market standards while emphasizing skills and flexibility can significantly impact offers.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Burlington?
Are physician assistants in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Burlington?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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