Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $66.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Charlotte, NC runs $66.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,560 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,537 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $66.14 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This rate reflects the diverse employment opportunities available, including part-time and per-diem positions that allow for flexibility across various healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. Entry-level physician assistants can expect to earn around $49.48 per hour, while top earners in specialized fields may achieve rates as high as $84.05 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data illustrates not only the competitive opportunities in Charlotte but also the range of possibilities for those starting out in the field or with extensive experience.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.48 | $395.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.98 | $431.88 |
| Median (P50) | $66.14 | $529.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.16 | $561.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.05 | $672.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $66.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.14/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $137,561 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,362. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,645.41 | $11,463 | $137,561 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,587.24 | $6,878 | $82,537 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,058.16 | $4,585 | $55,024 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Charlotte) | $66.14 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $137,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% above the North Carolina state average of $135,128.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.14/hr = $82,537/year (purchasing power: $84,785).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,561/year (purchasing power: $141,309).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Charlotte grew 30.6% from $49.00/hr (2019) to $64.01/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.33/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
When considering part-time work, a physician assistant working three days a week typically practices for about 24 hours, equating to a substantial annual income even when not full-time. However, locum tenens positions present a different potential; per diem physician assistants can earn rates ranging from $75 to $130 per hour depending on specialty. In more lucrative scenarios, orthopedic surgical PAs may earn $1,200 to $1,800 daily for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts for twelve hours can see earnings between $900 and $1,400. Additionally, hourly rates can vary based on the employer type, with hospital systems generally offering W-2 status and benefits, whereas specialty practices may compensate at higher hourly rates without such packages. Some physician assistants opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for employer-provided health insurance, balancing personal needs and benefits against possible higher earnings from 1099 locum engagements. Negotiating hourly compensation in Charlotte requires an understanding of these dynamics, allowing professionals to position themselves competitively in the local market.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Charlotte in 2026?
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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 Charlotte. 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