Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $54.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Little Rock, AR runs $54.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,732 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,644 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, physician assistants earn a median pay of $54.20 per hour, which positions them below the national average of $67.50 per hour for this profession. This discrepancy highlights the dynamics of local healthcare wages, influencing both full-time and part-time positions within the area. For professionals working part-time, typically three days a week, this hourly pay can lead to a comfortable but constrained living situation, especially when factoring in the cost of living index in Little Rock, which is below the national average. The hourly range spans from $24.82 for entry-level positions to $72.51 for highly experienced or specialized roles, reflecting the various settings in which physician assistants operate, such as hospital floors, ambulatory clinics, and emergency departments.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.82 | $198.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.14 | $393.11 |
| Median (P50) | $54.20 | $433.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.73 | $501.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.51 | $580.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $54.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.20/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $112,739 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,042. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,168.07 | $9,395 | $112,739 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,300.84 | $5,637 | $67,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $867.23 | $3,758 | $45,096 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Little Rock) | $54.20 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $112,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.70% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 9.00% below the Arkansas state average of $123,882.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.20/hr = $67,644/year (purchasing power: $75,695).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,739/year (purchasing power: $126,158).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Little Rock grew 14.4% from $45.86/hr (2019) to $52.46/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.00/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
When considering the earning potential for part-time physician assistants, a 24-hour work week could yield an annual income of approximately $67,416, while those working full-time have the opportunity to leverage their hours for greater financial rewards. Per diem physician assistants in Little Rock often see higher earnings, with rates typically ranging from $75 to $130 per hour based on specialty, such as orthopedic surgical assistance, where coverage for operating rooms can demand daily earnings that total between $1,200 and $1,800. The hourly figures vary significantly depending on the type of employer, including hospital systems and urgent care chains, where benefits frequently play a critical role in compensation discussions. While some may accept lower hourly rates for job security and health benefits, others seek higher pay through 1099 contracting positions. Professional negotiations can focus on establishing value through skills and specialty experiences, highlighting the importance of understanding the local work environment and pay scales when entering into discussions.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Little Rock 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 Little Rock. 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