Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Fairmont, WV: $58.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Fairmont, WV runs $58.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,740 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Fairmont's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,046 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairmont, West Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for physician assistants in 2026 stands at $58.53. This rate is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $67.50, reflecting a regional pay scale influenced by local market demands. For part-time or per-diem workers—common in settings like operating rooms, emergency departments, or ambulatory care—this hourly wage translates into annual earnings that can vary significantly based on hours worked. Entry-level positions might start around $47.26, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $77.41 per hour. These figures suggest that PAs in Fairmont, particularly those working in diverse environments such as urgent care or surgical suites, will see their compensation fluctuate based on skill level and specialty.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.26 | $378.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.41 | $435.27 |
| Median (P50) | $58.53 | $468.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.96 | $551.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.41 | $619.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairmont
Based on $58.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.53/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairmont, WV can expect to earn approximately $121,744 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,237. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fairmont.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairmont
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,341.23 | $10,145 | $121,744 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,404.74 | $6,087 | $73,046 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $936.49 | $4,058 | $48,698 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Fairmont) | $58.53 |
| 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 Fairmont, WV earn a median of $121,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.29% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $130,763.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.53/hr = $73,046/year (purchasing power: $84,447).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,744/year (purchasing power: $140,745).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Fairmont grew 21.0% from $46.80/hr (2019) to $56.65/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.47/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 Fairmont 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 Fairmont
Looking at the financial realities for part-time physician assistants working in Fairmont, those who operate on a three-day work week, typically covering around 24 hours, can earn an estimated annual salary significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per diem physician assistant pay in Fairmont tends to offer a flexible alternative, with locum or agency PAs charging between $75 and $130 per hour, depending on their area of specialty. Notably, surgical PAs in orthopedics can command even higher rates, earning between $1,200 and $1,800 daily for operating room coverage. Earnings can vary considerably across different employer types, such as hospital systems, private practices, and urgent care clinics. Some PAs may choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay on a 1099 basis without benefits, balancing their unique financial needs with career goals. Negotiating effectively for higher hourly rates requires an understanding of local market norms and specialty demand, making it essential for PAs in Fairmont to stay informed and strategic.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Fairmont in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Fairmont?
Are physician assistants in Fairmont paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Fairmont?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in West Virginia
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 Fairmont. 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 Fairmont 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