Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $67.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Fargo, ND runs $67.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,690 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the 2026 estimated physician assistant hourly pay is anticipated to be $67.86, which sits slightly above the national median of $67.50 per hour. This rate positions physician assistants well within the local healthcare market, particularly for those working in various settings such as hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and emergency departments. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly wage can translate to a steady income while allowing for a flexible lifestyle. The hourly compensation spans a range from entry-level positions earning $39.59 to seasoned PAs making as much as $99.13 per hour, reflecting the diverse experiences and specialties that factor into the physician assistant hourly rate in ND.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.59 | $316.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.60 | $444.77 |
| Median (P50) | $67.86 | $542.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.76 | $622.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.13 | $793.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $67.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.86/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $141,150 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,433. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,714.42 | $11,762 | $141,150 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,628.65 | $7,057 | $84,690 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,085.77 | $4,705 | $56,460 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Fargo) | $67.86 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $141,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 9.30% above the North Dakota state average of $129,136.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.86/hr = $84,690/year (purchasing power: $93,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,150/year (purchasing power: $155,330).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Fargo grew 21.0% from $54.26/hr (2019) to $65.68/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.11/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Examining the earning potential, part-time physician assistants working 24 hours weekly could expect an annual income of approximately $84,371, which offers a stable income while maintaining work-life balance. Per diem physician assistant pay in Fargo can vary greatly, as locum tenens PAs bill between $75 and $130 per hour, making it an attractive option for those desiring flexibility. Additionally, specialized PAs, particularly in orthopedic surgery, can command substantial daily rates, with earnings reaching $1,200 to $1,800 for a single day of OR coverage, while those taking 12-hour shifts in emergency medicine may earn between $900 and $1,400. The diversity in hourly wages reflects the type of healthcare setting, with W-2 hospital jobs often providing benefits, while 1099 locum positions typically offer higher pay without health insurance. Negotiating pay can focus on balancing hourly compensation with the value of benefits, thus catering to individual priorities in this growing profession within Fargo's healthcare system.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Fargo in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Fargo?
Are physician assistants in Fargo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Fargo?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Fargo?
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 Fargo. 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, 6-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