Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $65.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Louisville, KY runs $65.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,683 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,008 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the projected physician assistant hourly pay stands at $65.71, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This means that those working part-time, such as a physician assistant putting in three days a week, can expect to earn an estimated $63,280 annually, based on a 24-hour workweek. Per-diem positions also offer flexibility, allowing PAs to command rates that can vary significantly based on their specialty. Hourly earnings in Louisville range broadly, from approximately $44.39 for entry-level positions to up to $95.22 for the most experienced professionals operating within specialized environments like surgical suites, emergency rooms, and outpatient clinics. Such variances in the physician assistant hourly rate KY reflect both the complexity of the work and the types of institutions where these professionals are employed.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.39 | $355.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.45 | $443.61 |
| Median (P50) | $65.71 | $525.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.89 | $647.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.22 | $761.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $65.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.71/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $136,680 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,854. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,628.46 | $11,390 | $136,680 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,577.08 | $6,834 | $82,008 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,051.38 | $4,556 | $54,672 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Louisville) | $65.71 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $136,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $125,397.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.71/hr = $82,008/year (purchasing power: $91,834).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,680/year (purchasing power: $153,057).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Louisville grew 21.0% from $52.54/hr (2019) to $63.60/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.89/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
For those considering part-time opportunities, a three-day work schedule yields considerable financial benefits compared to full-time employment. By working casually, PAs can retain a balance between professional commitment and personal life while still bringing home a decent paycheck. On the other hand, the per diem physician assistant pay Louisville can offer substantial earning potential for those willing to work flexible hours. Locum positions, for instance, can afford PAs an hourly rate ranging from $75 to $130, with surgical PAs in orthopedics potentially earning up to $1,800 in a single day for operating room duties. The earnings landscape changes depending on the employer type; while hospital systems typically offer salaries with benefits, surgical specialties and urgent care facilities may provide higher hourly pay without health insurance. New graduates or even those with experience must consider the trade-offs when weighing lower hourly rates against the security of comprehensive benefits. Negotiating effectively in Louisville often means understanding not just the hourly wage but also the associated perks that come with full-time roles, allowing physician assistants to make informed decisions about their financial futures.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Louisville in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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