Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Austin, MN: $64.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Austin, MN runs $64.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,213 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,525 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Austin, MN, the projected median hourly pay for physician assistants in 2026 is $64.52, which is slightly below the national median of $67.50. This pay structure offers significant opportunities for those considering part-time or per diem work; for instance, a PA working three days a week could potentially earn a substantial income, especially within common practice environments such as hospital floors, urgent care facilities, or operating room settings. The hourly pay for physician assistants in Austin ranges from approximately $46.69 for entry-level positions to $86.20 for the most experienced professionals. This range illustrates the potential for growth in this field, and the hourly rates can provide a flexible income stream based on different working arrangements.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.69 | $373.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.44 | $451.55 |
| Median (P50) | $64.52 | $516.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.10 | $608.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.20 | $689.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $64.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.52/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, MN can expect to earn approximately $134,209 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,428. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,580.93 | $11,184 | $134,209 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,548.56 | $6,710 | $80,525 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,032.37 | $4,474 | $53,683 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Austin) | $64.52 |
| 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 Austin, MN earn a median of $134,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $141,874.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.52/hr = $80,525/year (purchasing power: $81,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,209/year (purchasing power: $136,252).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Austin grew 21.0% from $51.59/hr (2019) to $62.45/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.67/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 Austin 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 Austin
For those interested in maximizing their earning potential as physician assistants, the part-time landscape reveals nuanced financial realities. A physician assistant working a typical three-day schedule (approximately 24 hours weekly) can expect a significantly lower annual income than those working full-time, leading some to pursue per diem opportunities where pay rates can be more lucrative. Per diem physician assistants in Austin can command rates between $75 and $130 per hour depending on the specialty, while those in surgical orthopedics may gross up to $1,800 in a single day for operating room coverage. It's also important to consider how compensation varies across various types of employers in the area. For instance, hospital systems usually offer W-2 positions with benefits, whereas private practices or locum tenens roles might offer higher hourly rates but come without health insurance advantages. This trade-off is vital for PAs to contemplate when negotiating their pay; understanding the specific demands of the position and the market rate within Austin can significantly influence both salary expectations and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Austin in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Austin?
Are physician assistants in Austin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Austin?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Austin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 Austin. 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 Austin 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