Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $65.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Detroit, MI runs $65.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Detroit, Michigan, the projected median hourly pay for physician assistants stands at $65.48 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $67.50, reflecting the local market dynamics and cost of living in the region. For part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, this translates to a significant earning potential, especially in various healthcare settings like hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent care facilities. The hourly pay range for physician assistants in Detroit varies from $51.56 at the entry-level to $78.42 for the top earners, demonstrating the potential for substantial financial growth within this profession. This data comes from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026, highlighting viable opportunities for both full-time and per diem physician assistant pay in the area.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.56 | $412.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.50 | $484.03 |
| Median (P50) | $65.48 | $523.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.05 | $568.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.42 | $627.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $65.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.48/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $136,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,581. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,619.37 | $11,351 | $136,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,571.62 | $6,810 | $81,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,047.75 | $4,540 | $54,483 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Detroit) | $65.48 |
| 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 Detroit, MI earn a median of $136,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.98% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% above the Michigan state average of $134,992.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.48/hr = $81,724/year (purchasing power: $81,481).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,207/year (purchasing power: $135,802).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Detroit grew 16.0% from $54.64/hr (2019) to $63.38/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.66/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 Detroit 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 Detroit
For those considering part-time positions, working 24 hours a week as a physician assistant could yield an annual income that's competitive with full-time counterparts but with more flexible scheduling. Many locum or per diem physician assistants bill rates between $75 and $130 per hour, significantly enhancing their overall earnings compared to salaried positions. Specializations can result in even higher payouts; orthopedic surgical PAs can earn $1,200 to $1,800 per day for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts may bring in $900 to $1,400 for 12-hour workdays. Different employer types in Detroit also influence hourly rates, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions and specialty practices leaning towards 1099 arrangements. This variability can create a trade-off between pay and benefits, where some PAs may choose lower hourly rates to secure health insurance. When negotiating hourly pay in Detroit, it's crucial to consider the whole compensation package — including benefits and job security — to make the best financial decision in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Detroit, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Detroit. 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