Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Worcester, MA: $75.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Worcester, MA runs $75.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,935 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Worcester's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,760 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physician assistant in Worcester, Massachusetts, the 2026 median hourly pay stands at $75.93. This rate notably surpasses the national median of $67.50, highlighting the appeal of pursuing this profession in the local market. This hourly compensation enhances the financial viability for both part-time professionals working three days a week and per-diem workers who often fill roles across various medical settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics. The hourly pay range in Worcester spans from $53.96 for entry-level positions to $96.97 for experienced professionals, illustrating diverse earning potential based on experience and specialty.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.96 | $431.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.72 | $501.72 |
| Median (P50) | $75.93 | $607.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.78 | $662.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.97 | $775.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Worcester
Based on $75.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.93/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Worcester, MA can expect to earn approximately $157,934 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,116. With a cost-of-living index of 102.52 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Worcester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Worcester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,037.19 | $13,161 | $157,934 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,822.32 | $7,897 | $94,760 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,214.88 | $5,264 | $63,174 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Worcester) | $75.93 |
| 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 Worcester, MA earn a median of $157,935 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.50% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 3.50% above the Massachusetts state average of $152,594.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.93/hr = $94,760/year (purchasing power: $92,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,934/year (purchasing power: $154,048).
CoL index: 102.523 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Worcester grew 26.8% from $57.94/hr (2019) to $73.49/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.45/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 Worcester 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 Worcester
Working part-time as a physician assistant in Worcester can be financially rewarding, especially when considering a 24-hour workweek. A PA working three days per week could potentially bring home close to $88,900 annually, whereas full-time practice often yields higher total earnings but may come with stricter schedules. Per diem physician assistant pay in Worcester offers significant flexibility, allowing professionals to command rates between $75 and $130 hourly, depending on their specialty. Surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, often receive lucrative offers, with daily earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 in operating room capacities. Rates can vary significantly across different employer types such as hospital systems and specialty practices, often affecting overall compensation and job benefits. When negotiating pay, it's prudent for PAs to weigh the trade-offs of hourly wages against potential benefits packages, tailoring their search to fit personal and professional needs within the dynamic healthcare environment of Worcester.
More salary data for Worcester, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Worcester in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Worcester?
Are physician assistants in Worcester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Worcester?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Worcester?
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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 Worcester. 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