Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $80.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Bellingham, WA runs $80.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,614 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $77.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,970 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, physician assistants currently earn a median hourly rate of $80.10, significantly higher than the national median of $67.50. This competitive pay reflects the area's demand for skilled healthcare professionals, especially in diverse settings such as emergency departments, surgical suites, and ambulatory care clinics. For those considering flexible arrangements like part-time or per-diem work, the potential earnings can be quite appealing. With the hourly range stretching from $56.14 for entry-level positions up to $100.73 for the most experienced, physician assistants in Bellingham have ample opportunity to tailor their working hours based on their preferences and lifestyle needs. This information is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable look at potential earning situations.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56.14 | $449.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.96 | $559.66 |
| Median (P50) | $80.10 | $640.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.29 | $674.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.73 | $805.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $80.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.10/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $166,616 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,125. With a cost-of-living index of 103.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,204.16 | $13,885 | $166,616 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,922.50 | $8,331 | $99,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,281.66 | $5,554 | $66,647 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Bellingham) | $80.10 |
| 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 Bellingham, WA earn a median of $166,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.68% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 4.60% above the Washington state average of $159,287.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.10/hr = $99,970/year (purchasing power: $96,744).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,616/year (purchasing power: $161,241).
CoL index: 103.334 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+72.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Bellingham grew 61.8% from $47.93/hr (2019) to $77.53/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.76/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 Bellingham 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 Bellingham
Part-time physician assistants looking to work three days a week can find lucrative opportunities while still enjoying a balanced lifestyle. Earning approximately 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate results in an annual take-home of around $62,000, quite attractive compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem physician assistant pay in Bellingham varies widely; locum PAs may bill anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour based on their specialty, with orthopedic surgical PAs bringing in daily rates ranging between $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage. Additionally, emergency medicine shifts can offer $900 to $1,400 for 12 hours of work. Hourly rates vary greatly across employers—from hospital systems offering benefits with potentially lower hourly wages to specialty practices and urgent care facilities that might offer higher pay with fewer perks. For those accepting positions that compensate less but offer health insurance, it’s essential to weigh the trade-offs. When negotiating, clarity on the total compensation package, including benefits and work-life balance, can significantly influence one's career satisfaction in the Bellingham area.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Bellingham in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Bellingham. 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