Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Salem, NH: $70.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Salem, NH runs $70.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $147,003 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,197 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, New Hampshire, the projected physician assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $70.67, which is notably higher than the national median of $67.50. This rate presents a favorable opportunity for part-time and per-diem workers in diverse medical settings like operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. With an hourly range between $51.27 and $94.13, new graduates can expect entry-level pay on the lower end, while experienced PAs, particularly those in specialized roles, can command higher rates. It's crucial to recognize that these hourly rates stem from annual salary projections, which offer insights into the earning potential within this vital healthcare role.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.27 | $410.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.76 | $494.12 |
| Median (P50) | $70.67 | $565.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.33 | $666.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.13 | $753.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $70.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.67/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, NH can expect to earn approximately $146,995 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,805. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,826.84 | $12,250 | $146,995 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,696.10 | $7,350 | $88,197 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,130.73 | $4,900 | $58,798 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Salem) | $70.67 |
| 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 Salem, NH earn a median of $147,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $150,617.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.67/hr = $88,197/year (purchasing power: $82,197).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,995/year (purchasing power: $136,995).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Salem grew 21.0% from $56.51/hr (2019) to $68.40/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.02/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 Salem 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 Salem
For a part-time physician assistant working three days a week in Salem, the effective annual income could differ significantly from that of a full-time peer. Assuming a 24-hour work week, such a PA could anticipate earning around $88,000 annually, which allows for a flexible lifestyle without compromising financial stability. Furthermore, per diem physician assistant pay in Salem often varies widely, with locum positions billing anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour, depending on the specialty. Surgical PAs may earn substantially more, like $1,200 to $1,800 per day for orthopedic coverage. In terms of employer types, hourly rates can fluctuate, with hospital systems and specialty practices generally offering structured benefits, while 1099 locum roles might provide premium rates without health insurance. This trade-off pushes some PAs to weigh the benefits of stable employment against potentially higher hourly wages. For those negotiating pay, it’s vital to have a clear understanding of local market rates and be ready to discuss benefits as part of compensation, ensuring you secure the best deal possible in this competitive field.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Salem in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Salem. 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 Salem 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