Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $66.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Iowa City, IA runs $66.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,542 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the projected physician assistant hourly pay for 2026 is $66.94, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This competitive hourly rate provides flexibility for part-time or per-diem roles, especially in environments such as hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and urgent care centers, where PAs are needed for varied hours. Entry-level positions may start around $56.87 per hour, while the most experienced professionals can earn up to $86.47 per hour. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlight the earning potential available to physician assistants in Iowa City, supporting a comprehensive approach to healthcare delivery while offering a reliable income stream for those seeking diverse work arrangements.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56.87 | $454.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66.94 | $535.53 |
| Median (P50) | $66.94 | $535.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.67 | $653.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.47 | $691.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $66.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.94/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $139,237 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,329. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,677.64 | $11,603 | $139,237 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,606.58 | $6,962 | $83,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,071.06 | $4,641 | $55,695 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Iowa City) | $66.94 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $139,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.40% above the Iowa state average of $137,322.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.94/hr = $83,542/year (purchasing power: $91,294).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,237/year (purchasing power: $152,157).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Iowa City grew 15.9% from $55.88/hr (2019) to $64.79/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.16/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
Part-time physician assistants working three days a week, clocking 24 hours, would bring home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, adding up to $83,545 annually based on the 2026 median hourly rate. In contrast, per diem physician assistants in Iowa City can enjoy robust compensation through various arrangements; for example, locum PAs typically bill between $75 and $130 per hour, and those in orthopedic surgery may see daily earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 for OR coverage. Notably, emergency medicine shifts can command $900 to $1,400 for a 12-hour commitment. The diversity of settings—hospital systems, specialty practices, and urgent care clinics—contributes to varying pay rates within the field. While some PAs might accept lower hourly wages for employment with comprehensive benefits, others might choose higher rates through 1099 contracts without such perks. Negotiating effectively in Iowa City involves understanding these dynamics and tailoring expectations based on personal needs, desired work-life balance, and professional goals.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
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 Iowa City. 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