Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Lacey, WA: $75.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Lacey, WA runs $75.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Lacey's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,644 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lacey, Washington, physician assistants earn a median hourly rate of $75.84, which is significantly higher than the national median of $67.50. This rate reflects the value placed on PAs in various healthcare settings, such as operating rooms, hospitals, and urgent care clinics. For part-time workers, like those taking on three-day workweeks, the earnings can be substantial, allowing for flexibility while still providing a comfortable income. The hourly pay ranges from $57.70 for entry-level positions up to $109.56 for top-earning professionals, illustrating a competitive landscape for physician assistant hourly pay in Lacey.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57.70 | $461.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.52 | $548.17 |
| Median (P50) | $75.84 | $606.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.50 | $715.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.56 | $876.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lacey
Based on $75.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.84/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lacey, WA can expect to earn approximately $157,741 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,004. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lacey.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lacey
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,033.48 | $13,145 | $157,741 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,820.09 | $7,887 | $94,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,213.39 | $5,258 | $63,096 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Lacey) | $75.84 |
| 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 Lacey, WA earn a median of $157,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.36% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.00% below the Washington state average of $159,340.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.84/hr = $94,644/year (purchasing power: $88,123).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,741/year (purchasing power: $146,872).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $65.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $70.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Lacey grew 21.0% from $60.64/hr (2019) to $73.40/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.35/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 Lacey 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 Lacey
Examining the nuances of hourly pay reveals intriguing trends for those considering part-time or per-diem work as a physician assistant. A PA working full-time will find that a 24-hour workweek translates to an annual salary that is noticeably lower than working full-time, though still rewarding. Per diem physician assistant pay in Lacey presents a different reality, with rates ranging from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on specialty. For instance, surgical PAs in orthopedics may command up to $1,800 per day for operating room duties. Variability in hourly rates is influenced by employer type, with specialist positions typically paying more, yet many PAs choose to work in settings that provide healthcare benefits despite lower hourly rates. When negotiating, consider that hourly positions in Lacey often come with varying degrees of benefits; understanding the trade-offs can lead to better long-term satisfaction in your role.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Lacey 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 Lacey. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lacey is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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