Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $65.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in McAllen, TX runs $65.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,750 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly rate of $65.50, physician assistants in McAllen, Texas, earn slightly less than the national median of $67.50 per hour. This rate holds significant implications for both full-time and part-time workers in McAllen’s healthcare settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For those working part-time, perhaps just three days a week, this translates into a steady income that can accommodate various lifestyle choices. Opportunities exist within the hourly range from $50.68, typically for entry-level positions, up to $97.59 for seasoned professionals, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. This flexibility allows physician assistants to adapt their work hours to their personal schedules while still capitalizing on substantial earnings per unit of time worked.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.68 | $405.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.08 | $504.61 |
| Median (P50) | $65.50 | $524.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.62 | $540.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.59 | $780.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $65.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.50/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $136,250 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,606. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,620.20 | $11,354 | $136,250 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,572.12 | $6,813 | $81,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,048.08 | $4,542 | $54,500 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (McAllen) | $65.50 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $136,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.95% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.80% below the Texas state average of $137,347.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.50/hr = $81,750/year (purchasing power: $95,174).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,250/year (purchasing power: $158,624).
CoL index: 85.895 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in McAllen grew 13.3% from $55.96/hr (2019) to $63.40/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.68/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
While the hourly pay structure appears stable, it offers diverse earning potentials depending on the nature of employment. A part-time physician assistant working 24 hours a week might expect an annual take-home that significantly influences lifestyle and financial goals when compared to full-time positions. Additionally, per-diem physician assistants in McAllen can charge between $75 and $130 per hour depending on specialty, with surgical orthopedic PAs commanding daily rates that can reach $1,800 for operating room coverage. The variety of employer types in McAllen—from hospital systems to urgent care clinics—affects wage rates and benefits, with some opting for lower hourly wages in exchange for consistent health insurance. A career in this field involves strategic negotiation, particularly regarding hourly rates influenced by factors such as specialty and employment type. Mastering these elements can greatly enhance the earning potential for both new graduates and established practitioners.
More salary data for McAllen, TX:
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 McAllen. 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