Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $65.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Bethlehem, PA runs $65.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,249 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,343 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $65.98, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This competitive hourly rate positions PAs well for various work arrangements, making it viable for those seeking part-time roles, such as working three days a week in various clinical settings. With part-time positions typically totaling around 24 hours weekly, PAs still have the potential to earn a respectable income, supplemented further by opportunities in per-diem shifts across operating rooms, emergency departments, ambulatory clinics, and urgent care facilities. The hourly pay ranges from $48.17 for entry-level positions to a high of $90.78 for the most experienced PAs, indicating that proficiency and specialization can significantly impact earnings within the field.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.17 | $385.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.23 | $465.85 |
| Median (P50) | $65.98 | $527.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.95 | $631.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.78 | $726.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $65.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.98/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $137,239 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,176. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,639.21 | $11,437 | $137,239 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,583.52 | $6,862 | $82,343 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,055.68 | $4,575 | $54,895 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Bethlehem) | $65.98 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $137,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $129,848.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.98/hr = $82,343/year (purchasing power: $84,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,239/year (purchasing power: $140,902).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Bethlehem grew 21.0% from $52.76/hr (2019) to $63.86/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.17/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
When considering a part-time position, a physician assistant working just three days a week could expect an annual take-home income considerably lower than a full-time equivalent, yet still financially rewarding. The per diem physician assistant pay in Bethlehem can drastically differ depending on the specialty, with locum tenens PAs billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour. Surgical PAs, particularly those in orthopedics, may earn between $1,200 and $1,800 for a single day of operating room coverage. Employer types also influence hourly compensation; hospital systems generally provide consistent W-2 employment, while private specialty practices or emergency departments might offer higher hourly rates at the cost of no benefits. Thus, many PAs navigate the balance between accepting lower rates that bundle health insurance and seeking higher hourly pay that lacks these perks. Practical negotiation strategies for hourly pay may help aspiring PAs in Bethlehem secure rewarding positions tailored to their lifestyle and compensation desires.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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