Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Athens, OH: $59.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Athens, OH runs $59.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,923 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Athens, Ohio, earn a median hourly pay of $59.23, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $67.50. This difference highlights potential challenges for local PAs in terms of income stability, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. In various settings—such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics—physician assistants can expect to earn between $45.70 at the entry-level to $78.02 for top earners. This hourly rate provides flexibility for PAs who may prefer a 3-day workweek, allowing them to balance work with personal commitments while still earning a competitive wage. The estimated hourly rates derive from annual salary data, reflecting the broader trends of the healthcare market in 2026.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.70 | $365.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.52 | $428.16 |
| Median (P50) | $59.23 | $473.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.59 | $556.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.02 | $624.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $59.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.23/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, OH can expect to earn approximately $123,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,080. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,369.33 | $10,267 | $123,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,421.60 | $6,160 | $73,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $947.73 | $4,107 | $49,282 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Athens) | $59.23 |
| 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 Athens, OH earn a median of $123,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.24% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $132,766.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.23/hr = $73,923/year (purchasing power: $81,503).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,205/year (purchasing power: $135,838).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Athens grew 21.0% from $47.36/hr (2019) to $57.33/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.20/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 Athens 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 Athens
For those considering a part-time role working roughly 24 hours a week, a physician assistant in Athens would likely take home significantly less annually than a full-time counterpart. However, many PAs choose per diem work as it allows for greater autonomy and potentially higher pay. Per diem physician assistant pay in Athens can vary widely; depending on the specialty, locum tenens PAs might bill between $75 and $130 per hour, with those in orthopedic surgery often commanding $1,200 to $1,800 for a full day in the operating room. Additionally, hourly rates can differ based on the employer type, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions that include benefits, while specialty practices might employ PAs on a 1099 basis, leading to higher hourly rates without benefits. This trade-off can influence negotiation strategies for those in the field, particularly in Athens, where discussing compensation openly can lead to better-paying opportunities tailored to individual needs.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Athens in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 Athens. 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 Athens 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