Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $62.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $62.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,388 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,637 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsburgh, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $62.21, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $67.50. This compensation level is significant for those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, as it translates to earning a solid income across various settings, including hospitals, urgent care centers, and surgical suites. Entry-level positions start around $48.99, with top earners making up to $72.99, showcasing a range that emphasizes experience and specialization. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, indicate both the potential earning opportunities and the competition that exists in the city's healthcare landscape.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.99 | $391.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.94 | $423.53 |
| Median (P50) | $62.21 | $497.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.16 | $529.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.99 | $583.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $62.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.21/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $129,395 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,651. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,488.36 | $10,783 | $129,395 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,493.02 | $6,470 | $77,637 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $995.34 | $4,313 | $51,758 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Pittsburgh) | $62.21 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $129,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.84% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $129,907.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.21/hr = $77,637/year (purchasing power: $82,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,395/year (purchasing power: $136,678).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Pittsburgh grew 36.3% from $44.16/hr (2019) to $60.21/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.27/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
For a physician assistant working part-time at 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can still be quite substantial. While full-time positions typically offer comprehensive benefits that come with higher hourly rates, part-time and per-diem physician assistants can strategically opt for roles that pay as much as $75 to $130 per hour when working through locum agencies. In specialties such as orthopedic surgery, daily rates might reach between $1,200 to $1,800 for acute care. Variation in compensation can also arise from employer types; larger hospital systems often provide benefits at a lower hourly rate compared to specialty practices or emergency departments that might pay more but offer fewer benefits. As physician assistants in Pittsburgh evaluate their options, considering both pay and benefits becomes crucial in negotiating their roles.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Pittsburgh in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Pittsburgh?
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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 Pittsburgh. 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