Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $64.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Rochester, NY runs $64.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,760 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,860 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, the projected physician assistant hourly pay in 2026 stands at $64.79, which is slightly below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate opens up various opportunities for part-time and per-diem work in diverse healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, ambulatory clinics, and urgent care facilities. Entry-level positions typically start at around $54.21 per hour, while top earners can achieve rates as high as $77.19. These figures represent official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting Rochester's competitive market for physician assistants compared to national standards.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.21 | $433.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.32 | $514.53 |
| Median (P50) | $64.79 | $518.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.24 | $529.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.19 | $617.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $64.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.79/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $134,767 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,750. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,591.68 | $11,231 | $134,767 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,555.01 | $6,738 | $80,860 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.67 | $4,492 | $53,907 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Rochester) | $64.79 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $134,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.01% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.40% below the New York state average of $142,453.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.79/hr = $80,860/year (purchasing power: $83,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,767/year (purchasing power: $138,885).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Rochester grew 25.2% from $50.09/hr (2019) to $62.71/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.94/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
For those considering a 3-day workweek, a physician assistant in Rochester would earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, yet they still enjoy the flexibility that part-time work offers. Per diem physician assistant pay in Rochester varies considerably, with locum positions billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour depending on the specialty. For instance, orthopedic surgical physician assistants may command daily rates between $1,200 and $1,800 for OR coverage, while 12-hour shifts in emergency medicine can yield between $900 and $1,400. Employers such as hospital systems and specialty clinics provide different compensation structures, with W-2 positions often offering benefits, while 1099 locum roles may offer higher hourly rates without such added perks. Understanding this trade-off is essential for PAs navigating their career paths in Rochester, where negotiating the right hourly pay can significantly impact job satisfaction and overall earning potential.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Rochester in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Rochester?
Are physician assistants in Rochester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Rochester?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Rochester?
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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 Rochester. 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