Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $64.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Wausau, WI runs $64.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,295 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,577 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Wausau, Wisconsin, offers a competitive physician assistant hourly pay of $64.56, which is slightly below the national median of $67.50. This figure serves as a solid base for both full-time and part-time PAs who operate in diverse environments, including operating rooms as first assistants, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. For physician assistants working part-time—typically three days a week—this hourly rate translates to a structure where they can effectively balance work and personal commitments while still earning a respectable income. The hourly wage range starts at $52.78 for entry-level positions and stretches up to $80.60 for top earners, showcasing a significant earning potential based on experience, skill level, and specialty.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.78 | $422.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.78 | $486.27 |
| Median (P50) | $64.56 | $516.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.07 | $600.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.60 | $644.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $64.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.56/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $134,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,478. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,582.59 | $11,191 | $134,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,549.55 | $6,715 | $80,577 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,033.03 | $4,476 | $53,718 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Wausau) | $64.56 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $134,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $138,735.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.56/hr = $80,577/year (purchasing power: $86,968).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,295/year (purchasing power: $144,947).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$63.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Wausau grew -2.1% from $63.81/hr (2019) to $62.49/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.71/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
Considering a part-time physician assistant working around 24 hours weekly, the earning figures can approximate a comfortable annual take-home, differing notably from full-time roles. For those exploring the realm of per diem opportunities, rates can fluctuate significantly; locum PAs might charge anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, and some orthopedic surgical roles can command up to $1,800 in a day. This variability in hourly rates across various employer types—hospitals, urgent care centers, specialty practices—highlights an essential dialogue regarding salary negotiations. PAs may often face a decision between accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance benefits or choosing higher pay without coverage. Understanding this trade-off is crucial for professionals navigating the job market in Wausau or considering flexible work through locum tenens positions.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Wausau in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Wausau?
Are physician assistants in Wausau paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Wausau?
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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 Wausau. 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