Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Tahlequah, OK: $57.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Tahlequah, OK runs $57.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,811 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Tahlequah's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,886 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tahlequah, Oklahoma, physician assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $57.60, which falls below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate has significant implications for both full-time and part-time roles. For those working part-time—perhaps in diverse settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, or ambulatory clinics—the financial landscape offers opportunities for flexibility and supplemental income. The hourly pay ranges from $44.68 for entry-level positions to $74.15 for highly experienced practitioners, allowing varied earning potential based on expertise and workplace. These figures are estimated from annual salary data, reflecting the market dynamics in the region.
About the Tahlequah Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.68 | $357.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.21 | $417.66 |
| Median (P50) | $57.60 | $460.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.83 | $542.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.15 | $593.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tahlequah
Based on $57.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.60/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tahlequah, OK can expect to earn approximately $119,810 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,121. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tahlequah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tahlequah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,304.04 | $9,984 | $119,810 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,382.42 | $5,990 | $71,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $921.61 | $3,994 | $47,924 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Tahlequah) | $57.60 |
| 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 Tahlequah, OK earn a median of $119,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.00% below the Oklahoma state average of $124,803.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.60/hr = $71,886/year (purchasing power: $80,862).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,810/year (purchasing power: $134,769).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tahlequah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Tahlequah grew 21.0% from $46.06/hr (2019) to $55.75/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.51/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 Tahlequah 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 Tahlequah
For those considering part-time work at 24 hours per week, the total annual income may significantly differ from that of full-time colleagues. Part-time arrangements offer the chance to tailor one’s professional life but might yield an annual income close to $72,000, which contrasts with the full-time potential and often prohibits benefits. Furthermore, per diem physician assistant pay in Tahlequah, particularly for locum tenens opportunities, can be lucrative; rates of $75 to $130 per hour for specialized skills are not uncommon. Surgical PAs can even command daily rates up to $1,800 depending on their specialty. Salary variation is influenced by the type of employer, including hospital systems, urgent care clinics, and specialty practices. While some PAs may accept lower hourly rates for employment with benefits, others may prefer the higher pay and flexibility offered by 1099 locum opportunities. Effective negotiation is essential for maximizing these rates, emphasizing the need to assess the trade-offs associated with hourly compensation versus comprehensive benefits.
More salary data for Tahlequah, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Tahlequah in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Tahlequah?
Are physician assistants in Tahlequah paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Tahlequah?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tahlequah?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Tahlequah. 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 Tahlequah 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