Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $64.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Allentown, PA runs $64.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,985 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,396 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $64.42 in 2026, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $67.50. This wage reflects opportunities for both full-time and part-time roles, with many physician assistants working in diverse settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into substantial earnings. Entry-level physician assistants in Allentown can expect to earn around $40.60 per hour, while top professionals might reach up to $80.23 per hour, indicating a healthy salary progression as one gains experience and expertise in different specialties. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring a reliable benchmark for prospective PAs considering this rewarding career path in Allentown.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.60 | $324.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.37 | $434.94 |
| Median (P50) | $64.42 | $515.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.07 | $536.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.23 | $641.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $64.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.42/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $133,994 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,304. With a cost-of-living index of 99.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,576.80 | $11,166 | $133,994 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,546.08 | $6,700 | $80,396 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,030.72 | $4,466 | $53,597 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Allentown) | $64.42 |
| 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 Allentown, PA earn a median of $133,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.56% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $129,957.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.42/hr = $80,396/year (purchasing power: $80,422).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,994/year (purchasing power: $134,037).
CoL index: 99.968 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Allentown grew 35.5% from $46.02/hr (2019) to $62.35/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.56/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 Allentown 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 Allentown
Earning potential for a part-time physician assistant working a 3-day week (24 hours) in Allentown can yield approximately $80,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. For those in the per diem setting, compensation can vary sharply; locum tenens PAs might bill anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour based on specialty, with orthopedic surgical PAs commanding rates of $1,200 to $1,800 per day for operating room coverage, and emergency medicine shifts often paying between $900 and $1,400 for 12-hour blocks. Hourly rates can differ across employer types, with hospital systems often offering W-2 positions that include benefits, while private practices or urgent care facilities may provide higher rates without such advantages. This employment dynamic influences decision-making; some physician assistants may opt for lower hourly compensation to secure health benefits, while others seek out higher rates for the flexibility and independence that comes with contract work. Negotiating an hourly rate can also be critical in Allentown, where understanding the value of one's skill set—particularly in high-demand specialties—can lead to more favorable compensation discussions.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Allentown 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 Allentown. 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