Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Muskegon, MI: $65.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Muskegon, MI runs $65.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,620 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Muskegon's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,969 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Muskegon, Michigan, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected at $65.68 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate provides a competitive wage for those entering the field, as it allows for substantial earnings depending on the number of hours worked. For part-time physician assistants, working three days per week could yield approximately $1,057.12 per week, translating to an attractive annual salary for a potentially flexible schedule. The hourly rate varies significantly within the profession, with new entrants earning around $56.18, while seasoned professionals can command up to $74.63 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a dynamic healthcare landscape in which PAs are essential across various settings such as hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and emergency departments.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56.18 | $449.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.00 | $519.99 |
| Median (P50) | $65.68 | $525.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.68 | $525.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.63 | $597.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muskegon
Based on $65.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.68/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muskegon, MI can expect to earn approximately $136,615 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,817. With a cost-of-living index of 92.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muskegon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muskegon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,627.22 | $11,385 | $136,615 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.33 | $6,831 | $81,969 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,050.89 | $4,554 | $54,646 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Muskegon) | $65.68 |
| 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 Muskegon, MI earn a median of $136,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.69% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.20% above the Michigan state average of $135,000.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.68/hr = $81,969/year (purchasing power: $88,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,615/year (purchasing power: $147,662).
CoL index: 92.519 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Muskegon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Muskegon grew 20.4% from $52.81/hr (2019) to $63.57/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.86/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 Muskegon 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 Muskegon
For those considering part-time positions in Muskegon, working as a physician assistant for three days a week can lead to a substantial annual income, even without committing to full-time hours. Taking home a gross annual pay of over $55,000 allows for a healthy work-life balance, particularly appealing for individuals managing family or educational commitments. On the other hand, per diem and locum tenens roles offer lucrative options, with rates ranging from $75 to $130 per hour depending on specialty, notably more for urgent care and surgical roles. For example, orthopedic PAs might earn between $1,200 to $1,800 for a day's work in an operating room. In Muskegon, employer types also influence pay differentials; hospital systems can provide job security and benefits, while surgical and specialty clinics may offer higher per-hour pay trades. Some professionals opt for higher hourly pay without benefits but need to weigh this against insurance coverage and retirement stability. Understanding local market rates is essential for effective negotiations.
More salary data for Muskegon, MI:
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 Muskegon. 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