Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Merrimack, NH: $70.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Merrimack, NH runs $70.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,816 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Merrimack's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,094 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Merrimack, NH, earn a median hourly rate of $70.59, which exceeds the national median of $67.50. This competitive hourly wage offers a promising income for those working part-time or as per diem staff across typical environments such as hospitals, urgent care clinics, and surgical suites. For example, a PA working three days a week could develop a stable income while allowing for flexibility, while per diem positions can adapt to varying work hours and settings. The hourly wage ranges from $51.05 for entry-level positions to $93.84 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled physician assistants in various healthcare settings. Derived from annual salary projections, these hourly rates offer potential career growth for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners considering a transition into the Merrimack area.
About the Merrimack Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.05 | $408.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.57 | $492.55 |
| Median (P50) | $70.59 | $564.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.12 | $664.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.84 | $750.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrimack
Based on $70.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.59/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrimack, NH can expect to earn approximately $146,824 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,706. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Merrimack.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrimack
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,823.53 | $12,235 | $146,824 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,694.12 | $7,341 | $88,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,129.41 | $4,894 | $58,729 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Merrimack) | $70.59 |
| 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 Merrimack, NH earn a median of $146,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.50% below the New Hampshire state average of $150,580.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.59/hr = $88,094/year (purchasing power: $82,101).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,824/year (purchasing power: $136,835).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Merrimack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Merrimack grew 21.0% from $56.44/hr (2019) to $68.32/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.93/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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack
In Merrimack, physician assistants working part-time, specifically those on a three-day workweek totaling 24 hours, stand to earn a considerable annual gross income, although significantly less than their full-time counterparts. While full-time PAs may thrive with predictable schedules and benefits, those in per diem or locum roles can command higher hourly fees, with rates ranging from $75 to $130 depending on their specialty. For instance, orthopedic surgical PAs often earn $1,200 to $1,800 in a single day for managing operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts typically yield between $900 and $1,400 for 12-hour spans. Nevertheless, PAs must contemplate the trade-offs pertaining to hourly earnings, such as accepting lower pay without benefits versus pursuing higher pay rates that may lack health insurance. Understanding common employer types in Merrimack—from hospital systems to urgent care chains—enables PAs to negotiate effectively for their desired hourly rates, balancing between salary demands and job security to suit their personal and professional needs.
More salary data for Merrimack, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Merrimack in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Merrimack?
Are physician assistants in Merrimack paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Merrimack?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Merrimack?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 Merrimack. 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 Merrimack 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