Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Cambridge, MA: $69.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Cambridge, MA runs $69.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,624 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Cambridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,173 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, the projected physician assistant hourly pay is set at $69.05, positioning it slightly above the national median of $67.50. This rate significantly benefits part-time and per-diem workers, especially those who typically function in varied environments such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For professionals working three days a week in standard 8-hour shifts, this pay translates into considerable compensation, while entry-level positions earn approximately $47.90 per hour and seasoned PAs can make up to $97.15 per hour, reflecting the profession's broad range of expertise and responsibilities. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, underscoring the lucrative potential of this career path in the competitive healthcare landscape of Cambridge.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.90 | $383.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.99 | $471.88 |
| Median (P50) | $69.05 | $552.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.59 | $668.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.15 | $777.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cambridge
Based on $69.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.05/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cambridge, MA can expect to earn approximately $143,621 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,859. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cambridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cambridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,761.95 | $11,968 | $143,621 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,657.17 | $7,181 | $86,173 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,104.78 | $4,787 | $57,449 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Cambridge) | $69.05 |
| 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 Cambridge, MA earn a median of $143,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.30% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 5.80% below the Massachusetts state average of $152,467.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.05/hr = $86,173/year (purchasing power: $79,422).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,621/year (purchasing power: $132,370).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Cambridge grew 21.0% from $55.21/hr (2019) to $66.83/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.34/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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge
Part-time physician assistants working in a 24-hour weekly schedule can expect to take home about $86,256 annually, a significant income, though still lower than a full-time counterpart. The per diem or locum tenens work environment can yield even higher rates, with specialized positions such as orthopedic surgical PAs commanding daily fees ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage. Variability exists in hourly pay across various settings in Cambridge; hospital systems often offer W-2 employment while private practices and urgent care facilities might present 1099 opportunities, allowing more flexibility but often with no benefits. For many PAs, balancing hourly pay against health benefits plays a key role in job selection. To optimize pay, negotiating with potential employers, particularly regarding shifts and responsibilities, can directly impact lifetime earnings, making it crucial for those in the field to approach discussions strategically.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Cambridge 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 Cambridge. 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 Cambridge 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