Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Reno, NV: $66.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Reno, NV runs $66.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,017 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Reno's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $66.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,413 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reno, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $66.84 by 2026, just slightly below the national median of $67.50 per hour. This amount presents a solid opportunity for those pursuing part-time roles in various medical environments, including operating rooms, hospital floors, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. For a typical three-day workweek, this hourly rate could translate to a significant income, while per-diem work offers flexibility and potentially higher earnings depending on the demand for services. Entry-level positions in Reno can expect to start around $22.99 per hour, with top earners reaching $86.13 per hour. All figures here are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected for 2026, providing valuable insights into the compensation for this vital healthcare role.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.99 | $183.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.47 | $275.74 |
| Median (P50) | $66.84 | $534.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.24 | $649.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.13 | $689.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reno
Based on $66.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.84/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reno, NV can expect to earn approximately $139,022 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,205. With a cost-of-living index of 101.01 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Reno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,673.51 | $11,585 | $139,022 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,604.10 | $6,951 | $83,413 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,069.40 | $4,634 | $55,609 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Reno) | $66.84 |
| 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 Reno, NV earn a median of $139,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.70% above the Nevada state average of $138,051.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.84/hr = $83,413/year (purchasing power: $82,576).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,022/year (purchasing power: $137,627).
CoL index: 101.014 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Reno grew 15.3% from $56.13/hr (2019) to $64.69/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.06/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 Reno 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 Reno
Considering the financial implications of working part-time or as a per-diem physician assistant, a professional maintaining a three-day work week—totaling about 24 hours—might earn around $83,000 annually, notably less than their full-time counterparts. In addition, opportunities for per-diem positions can be lucrative, with locum physician assistants billing upwards of $75 to $130 per hour based on their specialty. Those assisting in orthopedic surgeries can command $1,200 to $1,800 per day, while 12-hour shifts in emergency medicine could yield $900 to $1,400. The variability in hourly rates is influenced by the employer type; hospital systems typically offer consistent W-2 arrangements, whereas surgical specialty practices and urgent care clinics may rely on 1099 agreements, which can affect tax liabilities and benefits. PAs may need to weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly wages when considering their employment options. Effective negotiation strategies can help ensure fair compensation in Reno’s competitive environment for physician assistants seeking to optimize their earnings.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
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 Reno. 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