Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Tukwila, WA: $70.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Tukwila, WA runs $70.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $147,291 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Tukwila's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,378 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tukwila, Washington, the physician assistant hourly pay reflects a competitive landscape within the healthcare sector. The median hourly rate is $70.82, exceeding the national average of $67.50. This rate offers attractive opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, allowing a skilled PA to earn robust compensation while working in settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities. The hourly range varies significantly from $56.37 for entry-level positions to $92.77 for top earners. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, indicating that Tukwila's healthcare market can accommodate both novice practitioners and seasoned professionals seeking flexible work arrangements.
About the Tukwila 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) | $56.37 | $450.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.65 | $509.16 |
| Median (P50) | $70.82 | $566.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.88 | $663.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.77 | $742.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tukwila
Based on $70.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.82/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tukwila, WA can expect to earn approximately $147,296 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,979. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tukwila.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tukwila
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,832.62 | $12,275 | $147,296 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,699.57 | $7,365 | $88,378 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,133.05 | $4,910 | $58,919 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Tukwila) | $70.82 |
| 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 Tukwila, WA earn a median of $147,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $159,406.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.82/hr = $88,378/year (purchasing power: $82,288).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $147,296/year (purchasing power: $137,147).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Tukwila grew 21.0% from $56.63/hr (2019) to $68.54/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.17/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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila
Evaluating the financial prospects further reveals that a part-time physician assistant working three days a week could potentially earn over $100,000 annually, depending on their schedule and hours worked. Per diem physician assistant pay in Tukwila allows for even greater income potential, especially for those who work through locum tenens agencies, often billing between $75 and $130 per hour. Some specialties, like orthopedic surgery, can command daily rates ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 for operational coverage, while emergency medicine offers lucrative 12-hour shifts averaging $900 to $1,400. Hourly rates also vary according to employer type; positions in hospital systems typically provide benefits but might offer lower hourly pay compared to specialty practices that do not. It’s essential for PA candidates to negotiate effectively, considering both hourly wages and the benefits trade-off when determining their career path in Tukwila's evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Tukwila, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Tukwila in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Tukwila?
Are physician assistants in Tukwila paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Tukwila?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Tukwila?
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 Tukwila. 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 Tukwila 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