Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $63.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Ruston, LA runs $63.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,854 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,107 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $63.39 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate supports various working arrangements, making it an appealing option for both part-time and per-diem positions. For instance, a physician assistant working three days a week might find themselves earning a solid hourly wage while balancing their practice with personal commitments. The pay range for this profession in Ruston varies as well, starting at $49.36 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $83.99 for those at the top of their field. These figures are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the growth and demand for physician assistants in local healthcare settings such as hospitals, urgent care facilities, and private clinics.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.36 | $394.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.60 | $460.81 |
| Median (P50) | $63.39 | $507.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.78 | $598.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.99 | $671.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $63.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.39/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $131,845 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,064. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,535.47 | $10,987 | $131,845 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,521.28 | $6,592 | $79,107 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.19 | $4,395 | $52,738 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Ruston) | $63.39 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $131,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $137,062.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.39/hr = $79,107/year (purchasing power: $87,604).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,845/year (purchasing power: $146,007).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Ruston grew 21.0% from $50.69/hr (2019) to $61.35/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.49/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
When considering part-time opportunities in Ruston, a physician assistant working 24 hours a week could expect to earn around $79,047 annually, which still provides a perks of flexible scheduling. However, many PAs also explore per diem options or locum tenens positions that can yield significantly higher pay rates, with hourly billing between $75 and $130 contingent on specialty. For surgical roles, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgeries, compensation can escalate to $1,200 to $1,800 daily for operating room coverage. The variation in hourly pay across different employer types—ranging from hospital systems to specialty practices—illustrates the trade-offs many physician assistants make between salary and benefits. Negotiating for better rates can be essential, especially in a market where some PAs opt for higher hourly wages without health insurance against the stability of salaried positions with benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower Ruston PAs to make informed career decisions that align with their personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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