Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Harrisburg, PA: $61.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Harrisburg, PA runs $61.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,197 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Harrisburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.7, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,322 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $61.16, below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate provides a meaningful foundation for those working part-time or in per diem positions, who typically rotate shifts across various settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities. For instance, a part-time physician assistant working three days per week could expect to earn a range reflecting entry-level positions at approximately $35.74 per hour, all the way up to top earners at around $78.35 per hour. These figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics hourly data, offering valuable insight into the compensation landscape for PAs in the region.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.74 | $285.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.51 | $412.04 |
| Median (P50) | $61.16 | $489.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.48 | $539.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.35 | $626.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harrisburg
Based on $61.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.16/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harrisburg, PA can expect to earn approximately $127,203 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,386. With a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harrisburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harrisburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,446.20 | $10,600 | $127,203 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,467.72 | $6,360 | $76,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $978.48 | $4,240 | $50,881 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Harrisburg) | $61.16 |
| 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 Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $127,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.40% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $129,926.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.16/hr = $76,322/year (purchasing power: $77,366).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,203/year (purchasing power: $128,943).
CoL index: 98.65 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Harrisburg grew 21.6% from $48.69/hr (2019) to $59.19/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.19/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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg
Exploring the financial prospects for those in the field reveals distinct earning potential based on work arrangements. A physician assistant working part-time for 24 hours each week would realize a more modest income than their full-time counterparts, emphasizing the trade-offs involved. Many PAs in per-diem or locum positions can command significantly higher rates, often billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on their specialty. Particularly in high-demand fields like orthopedic surgery or emergency medicine, daily earnings can be substantial, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 when taking on OR shifts. It is worth considering that hourly pay can differ greatly among various employer types in Harrisburg, from hospital systems to specialty practices. While higher hourly wages amidst less job security may appeal to some, others may prefer the stability of a salaried position with benefits. Negotiation strategies for hourly workers can also pivot on the benefits versus higher pay debate, highlighting the need to assess personal priorities and the local job market.
More salary data for Harrisburg, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Harrisburg in 2026?
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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 Harrisburg. 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