Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $66.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Lafayette, LA runs $66.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,017 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,413 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $66.84 in 2026, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $67.50. This hourly rate offers a significant advantage for part-time and per-diem workers in various medical settings such as operating rooms, hospital floors, and urgent care clinics. For those working three days a week, this rate translates into a stable income while providing flexibility. Entry-level positions generally start at $52.17 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $81.27, reflecting a healthy pay range that caters to both new graduates and seasoned practitioners. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS figures projected to 2026, underscores the value of skilled PAs in the Lafayette healthcare landscape.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.17 | $417.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.67 | $485.36 |
| Median (P50) | $66.84 | $534.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.26 | $546.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.27 | $650.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $66.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.84/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $139,022 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,205. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,673.51 | $11,585 | $139,022 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,604.10 | $6,951 | $83,413 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,069.40 | $4,634 | $55,609 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Lafayette) | $66.84 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA earn a median of $139,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.40% above the Louisiana state average of $137,098.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.84/hr = $83,413/year (purchasing power: $95,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,022/year (purchasing power: $159,413).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+79.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Lafayette grew 68.0% from $38.51/hr (2019) to $64.69/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.06/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
An individual physician assistant working part-time, specifically three days per week for a total of 24 hours, could expect to take home an approximate annual income that reflects their hourly pay, which, when comparing it to full-time roles, shows the potential for a substantial yet less consistent compensation package. Per diem physician assistant pay in Lafayette often varies widely, with locum tenens PAs billing between $75 and $130 per hour, depending on their specialty. Surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics, can command rates that total $1,200 to $1,800 for a day’s coverage in the operating room, and emergency medicine shifts typically yield between $900 and $1,400 for a 12-hour stint. Earnings can fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer, whether it’s a W-2 role with benefits in hospital systems or independent contractor work through 1099 agencies. Weighing the pros and cons of hourly rates versus employer-provided benefits is crucial for PAs in Lafayette. Negotiation strategies, such as emphasizing specific skills and specialties, can lead to improved hourly rates, especially given the competitive nature of physician assistant roles in the area.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Lafayette in 2026?
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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 Lafayette. 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