Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Lowell, MA: $73.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Lowell, MA runs $73.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $152,959 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Lowell's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,782 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant hourly pay in Lowell, Massachusetts, is projected to be $73.54. This rate is notably higher than the national median of $67.50, highlighting the competitive market for PAs in the area. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly pay structure allows for a flexible lifestyle while still providing a solid income. Entry-level physician assistants could expect to earn around $55.05 per hour, while the top earners can make $105.78 per hour, showcasing a diverse range of opportunities within various healthcare settings like operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care centers. The hourly figures are based on annual salary estimates and reflect both the demand for services and the cost of living in Lowell.
About the Lowell 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) | $55.05 | $440.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.88 | $527.01 |
| Median (P50) | $73.54 | $588.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.62 | $724.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.78 | $846.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lowell
Based on $73.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.54/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lowell, MA can expect to earn approximately $152,970 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,252. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lowell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lowell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,941.73 | $12,747 | $152,970 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,765.04 | $7,648 | $91,782 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,176.69 | $5,099 | $61,188 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Lowell) | $73.54 |
| 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 Lowell, MA earn a median of $152,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $152,502.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.54/hr = $91,782/year (purchasing power: $84,592).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $152,970/year (purchasing power: $140,986).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Lowell grew 21.0% from $58.81/hr (2019) to $71.18/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.98/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 Lowell 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 Lowell
Exploring part-time earning potential, a physician assistant working three days a week (24 hours total) could take home approximately $91,919 annually, a generous income that still falls short of full-time earnings. For those opting for per diem physician assistant pay in Lowell, the landscape offers varied rates depending on the assignment and specialty. Locum tenens PAs often bill between $75 and $130 per hour; surgical PAs in orthopedics can earn up to $1,800 a day for OR coverage. The differences in hourly rates across employer types—whether working for hospital systems, specialty clinics, or urgent care chains—indicate how compensation can fluctuate based on the setting and the benefits tied to different employment models. While some physician assistants may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may pursue higher hourly pay without these perks. Understanding this trade-off and negotiating effectively is crucial, especially in Lowell's evolving healthcare job market.
More salary data for Lowell, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Lowell 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 Lowell. 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 Lowell 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