Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Pelham, AL: $47.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Pelham, AL runs $47.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,775 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Pelham's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,868 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pelham, Alabama, physician assistants earn a median hourly rate of $47.97, which is significantly lower than the national median of $67.50. This discrepancy may influence the decision of those looking to work part-time or as per-diem providers in various medical settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics. For instance, a part-time physician assistant working three days a week would be looking at considerable earnings that can complement their income from other sources or allow greater personal flexibility. The hourly rate ranges from $38.23 for entry-level positions to $62.77 for experienced professionals, indicating that there are opportunities in Pelham to advance within this field while possibly working in diverse healthcare environments, from ambulatory clinics to procedure suites.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.23 | $305.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.22 | $353.77 |
| Median (P50) | $47.97 | $383.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.25 | $449.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.77 | $502.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pelham
Based on $47.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.97/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pelham, AL can expect to earn approximately $99,781 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,566. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pelham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pelham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,918.86 | $8,315 | $99,781 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,151.32 | $4,989 | $59,868 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.54 | $3,326 | $39,912 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Pelham) | $47.97 |
| 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 Pelham, AL earn a median of $99,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.93% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $107,865.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.97/hr = $59,868/year (purchasing power: $68,110).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,781/year (purchasing power: $113,516).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Pelham grew 21.0% from $38.36/hr (2019) to $46.43/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.56/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 Pelham 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 Pelham
Those considering part-time positions or per diem work within Pelham's healthcare system will find that earnings can vary widely based on the job type and employer. A physician assistant working a typical 24-hour week may earn a substantial income, yet the full-time equivalent can skyrocket their annual take-home pay. Notably, locum and agency PAs can often command hourly rates ranging from $75 to $130 depending on the specialty; orthopedic surgical PAs can even see daily earnings of $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine assignments may offer between $900 and $1,400 for 12-hour shifts. Compensation differences can also arise based on employer type; for example, hospital systems typically offer consistent W-2 payroll with benefits, while private specialty practices may pay higher hourly rates without benefits. For those negotiating hourly contracts, understanding the local compensation trends and factoring in the trade-offs between higher pay rates and benefits is essential for a fulfilling career in the Pelham medical scene.
More salary data for Pelham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Pelham 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 Pelham. 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 Pelham 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