Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $61.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Lancaster, PA runs $61.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,189 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,915 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $61.63 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $67.50. This rate reflects the diverse opportunities available to physician assistants—many work part-time across various healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities. For those in this profession, working three days a week typically allows them to earn a reliable income while maintaining a work-life balance. The hourly rates in Lancaster range from $30.52 for entry-level positions to $77.04 for top earners in the field, illustrating the potential for significant income variation based on experience and specialization. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected to 2026, highlighting the evolving compensation landscape for physician assistants in this region.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.52 | $244.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.55 | $412.37 |
| Median (P50) | $61.63 | $493.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.39 | $523.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.04 | $616.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $61.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.63/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $128,191 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,956. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,465.22 | $10,683 | $128,191 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,479.13 | $6,410 | $76,915 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $986.09 | $4,273 | $51,276 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Lancaster) | $61.63 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $128,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.69% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $129,878.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.63/hr = $76,915/year (purchasing power: $78,279).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,191/year (purchasing power: $130,465).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Lancaster grew 21.1% from $49.27/hr (2019) to $59.65/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.68/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Looking at the earning potential for part-time physician assistants reveals deeper insights into financial prospects. A PA working 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $76,000 annually, compared to full-time colleagues earning closer to $128,189. The per diem physician assistant pay in Lancaster offers even more variability, with locum tenens positions billing between $75 and $130 per hour based on specialty, while surgical PAs can earn up to $1,800 for a day's work in the operating room. Hourly rates also fluctuate depending on the type of employer, such as hospital systems versus specialty practices. Many PAs weigh the hourly pay against the benefits offered, choosing roles that may pay less hourly but come with health insurance and other perks. For those negotiating salaries in Lancaster, understanding these dynamics is essential to securing a fair rate that aligns with both personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Lancaster?
Are physician assistants in Lancaster paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Lancaster?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lancaster?
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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 Lancaster. 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