Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Dartmouth, MA: $71.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Dartmouth, MA runs $71.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,581 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Dartmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,151 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the estimated physician assistant hourly pay is certainly competitive, with a median rate of $71.44 per hour. This figure surpasses the national median hourly pay of $67.50, reflecting the unique dynamics of healthcare compensation in the area. For part-time physician assistants working three days a week, this hourly rate offers a significant financial advantage, especially in clinical settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. The pay can range from $51.68 for entry-level positions to as high as $99.29 for experienced professionals, underscoring a robust earning potential in the local job market. As these hourly rates stem from annual salary projections, they provide a valuable insight into the expected financial landscape for current and aspiring PAs in Dartmouth.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.68 | $413.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.26 | $498.09 |
| Median (P50) | $71.44 | $571.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.80 | $694.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.29 | $794.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dartmouth
Based on $71.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.44/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dartmouth, MA can expect to earn approximately $148,586 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,723. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Dartmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dartmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,857.42 | $12,382 | $148,586 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,714.45 | $7,429 | $89,151 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,142.97 | $4,953 | $59,434 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Dartmouth) | $71.44 |
| 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 Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $148,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.83% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $152,548.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.44/hr = $89,151/year (purchasing power: $82,167).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,586/year (purchasing power: $136,945).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Dartmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Dartmouth grew 21.0% from $57.12/hr (2019) to $69.14/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.81/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 Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth
Exploring the earnings potential for physician assistants in Dartmouth requires understanding the nuances of part-time versus full-time work. A PA working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate can expect to earn around $83,298 annually, which is quite substantial but still less than full-time counterparts. For those considering per diem positions, the pay scale can vary dramatically; some locum PAs bill as much as $130 per hour, with orthopedic surgical PAs commanding daily rates between $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage. In contrast, emergency medicine shifts may offer 12-hour blocks ranging from $900 to $1,400, depending on the demand and specialty. Furthermore, the hourly rates differ significantly across practice types within Dartmouth. For instance, hospital systems typically provide W-2 employment with benefits, while agency work may offer greater hourly pay but without such perks. Negotiating a lower hourly rate often comes down to weighing benefits versus immediate compensation, particularly in a competitive healthcare market. Understanding these factors can help physician assistants maximize their earning potential in Dartmouth, whether employed full-time or as per diem workers.
More salary data for Dartmouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Dartmouth in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Dartmouth?
Are physician assistants in Dartmouth paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Dartmouth?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Dartmouth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 Dartmouth. 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 Dartmouth 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