Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $66.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $66.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,936 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $66.46 in 2026, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $67.50. For those considering part-time work, such as a three-day workweek, this hourly rate translates to a solid income while allowing for flexibility in personal schedules. Many physician assistants find themselves in diverse environments, from operating rooms to urgent care facilities, which can further impact their earnings. The hourly range for this profession in Chapel Hill starts at approximately $47.07 for entry-level positions, with top earners potentially making as much as $95.94 per hour, making it essential for PAs in differing experiences and specialties to confront their compensation with that framework in mind.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.07 | $376.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.37 | $458.99 |
| Median (P50) | $66.46 | $531.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.69 | $637.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.94 | $767.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $66.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.46/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $138,227 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,747. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,658.22 | $11,519 | $138,227 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,594.93 | $6,911 | $82,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.29 | $4,608 | $55,291 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Chapel Hill) | $66.46 |
| 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 Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $138,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.30% above the North Carolina state average of $135,113.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.46/hr = $82,936/year (purchasing power: $88,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,227/year (purchasing power: $147,679).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Chapel Hill grew 21.0% from $53.14/hr (2019) to $64.32/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.66/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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time physician assistants in Chapel Hill shows that those working 24 hours a week might take home a substantial income, even in a reduced schedule. Specifically, full-time positions could yield higher overall earnings, leading those in the profession to weigh the benefits of part-time or per diem roles against the stability of full-time employment. Per diem physician assistant pay in Chapel Hill can vary widely, as agency and locum tenens positions often offer rates between $75 and $130 per hour, especially within specialty areas like orthopedics, where surgical assistants might make $1,200 to $1,800 for a day’s work. Moreover, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on employer types, with hospitals, surgical practices, and urgent care clinics each offering unique compensation structures. In some cases, physician assistants may choose to accept lower hourly rates if it comes with health benefits, while others may prioritize higher pay without additional perks. Those negotiating hourly wages should be mindful of Chapel Hill’s cost of living and current market trends, aligning their expectations with the projected growth rate of 3.32% for the field.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Chapel Hill in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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