Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Winston, NC: $64.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Winston, NC runs $64.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,070 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Winston's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,041 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Current projections for the physician assistant hourly pay in Winston, NC, indicate a median rate of $64.94. This figure falls slightly below the national hourly median of $67.50, reflecting local market dynamics and the cost of living, which is notably lower than the national average. For part-time and per-diem physicians assistants, this hourly rate translates to different earning potentials. A PA working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $20,824 annually, assuming a 24-hour workweek, while per-diem work offers variability depending on practice setting. In Winston, entry-level positions begin around $51.95, while experienced specialists can command up to $84.05 per hour, showcasing a range that aligns with varying levels of expertise.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.95 | $415.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.58 | $468.66 |
| Median (P50) | $64.94 | $519.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.77 | $574.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.05 | $672.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston
Based on $64.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.94/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston, NC can expect to earn approximately $135,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,924. With a cost-of-living index of 92.04 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,597.46 | $11,256 | $135,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,558.48 | $6,753 | $81,041 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,038.99 | $4,502 | $54,027 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Winston) | $64.94 |
| 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 Winston, NC earn a median of $135,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.79% lower than the national median of $140,391.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.94/hr = $81,041/year (purchasing power: $88,047).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,068/year (purchasing power: $146,745).
CoL index: 92.043 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Winston grew 22.4% from $51.33/hr (2019) to $62.85/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.09/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 Winston 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 Winston
The potential earnings for part-time physician assistants in Winston reveal distinct realities compared to their full-time counterparts. For those working 24 hours weekly, estimating a take-home of about $20,824 annually offers a clear picture of the financial landscape. In contrast, per diem physician assistants in Winston may find lucrative opportunities, billing between $75 and $130 per hour depending on their specialty. Surgical PAs, particularly in orthopedics, can earn significant pay for a single day of coverage, garnering between $1,200 and $1,800 for operating room duties. The differences in hourly rates across various employer types are notable: hospital systems typically provide W-2 status, while private practices or locum agencies often present 1099 arrangements. The decision to accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits such as health insurance is a common trade-off in this field. For those negotiating pay, understanding the local market and the specific demands of different practice areas can yield better outcomes and enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Winston. 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