Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Kannapolis, NC: $65.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Kannapolis, NC runs $65.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,303 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Kannapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,776 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kannapolis, NC, the projected physician assistant hourly pay in 2026 is estimated at $65.53, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This rate is particularly significant for part-time and per-diem PAs, who typically work in various settings including hospitals, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. For those working three days a week, the pay can facilitate a comfortable lifestyle, while per-diem roles offer flexibility and variety. The hourly range for physician assistants in Kannapolis presents a spectrum from $47.57 at entry-level positions to $89.50 for top earners, reflective of experience, specialization, and workplace settings. These figures stem from data projected from annual salary estimates, emphasizing the potential for significant earnings within the profession.
About the Kannapolis 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) | $47.57 | $380.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.44 | $459.48 |
| Median (P50) | $65.53 | $524.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.44 | $635.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.50 | $715.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kannapolis
Based on $65.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.53/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kannapolis, NC can expect to earn approximately $136,293 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,631. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kannapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kannapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,621.02 | $11,358 | $136,293 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,572.61 | $6,815 | $81,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,048.41 | $4,543 | $54,517 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Kannapolis) | $65.53 |
| 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 Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $136,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $135,087.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.53/hr = $81,776/year (purchasing power: $87,367).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,293/year (purchasing power: $145,612).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Kannapolis grew 21.0% from $52.40/hr (2019) to $63.42/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.70/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 Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis
In a part-time scenario, a physician assistant in Kannapolis working 24 hours a week may see a take-home pay that contrasts sharply with full-time earnings. Per diem roles can elevate income potential dramatically, particularly for those specializing in high-demand areas such as orthopedics or emergency medicine, where daily rates may exceed $1,200. Physician assistants across various sectors—from surgical specialty practices to urgent care facilities—face a diverse hourly compensation landscape, often influenced by benefits offered. While some may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job stability, others pursue higher-paying opportunities without benefits. Negotiating effectively in the Kannapolis market involves understanding the unique valuations across different employers, which significantly impacts overall compensation strategies for PAs.
More salary data for Kannapolis, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Kannapolis in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Kannapolis?
Are physician assistants in Kannapolis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Kannapolis?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Kannapolis. 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 Kannapolis 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