Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in North Charleston, SC: $65.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in North Charleston, SC runs $65.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,040 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against North Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,621 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Charleston, South Carolina, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $65.40 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate is significant for those pursuing part-time work or per diem opportunities, allowing for flexibility in various healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and primary care offices. For a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, a physician assistant could expect to earn enough to support a comfortable lifestyle, especially considering the lower cost of living in the region, which is at an index of 91.5 compared to the national average. Meanwhile, entry-level positions may start around $44.62 hourly, while top earners can exceed $91.38, reflecting the diversity in skills and experience among physician assistants in North Charleston.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.62 | $356.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.39 | $475.11 |
| Median (P50) | $65.40 | $523.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.79 | $630.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.38 | $731.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Charleston
Based on $65.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.40/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $136,035 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,482. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,616.06 | $11,336 | $136,035 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,569.64 | $6,802 | $81,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,046.42 | $4,535 | $54,414 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (North Charleston) | $65.40 |
| 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 North Charleston, SC earn a median of $136,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.10% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.80% above the South Carolina state average of $127,379.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.40/hr = $81,621/year (purchasing power: $89,203).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,035/year (purchasing power: $148,672).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in North Charleston grew 21.0% from $52.30/hr (2019) to $63.30/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.57/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 North Charleston 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 North Charleston
For those considering part-time employment, a physician assistant working 24 hours per week could translate their hourly rate into an annual income of approximately $81,792, making it a viable option compared to full-time work. The per diem model offers even more variability in earning potential; locum physician assistants typically bill between $75 and $130 per hour, with surgical specialties such as orthopedics commanding even higher rates for urgent coverage, at around $1,200 to $1,800 per day. Furthermore, the type of employer significantly influences hourly wages. While hospital systems may often provide consistent wages and benefits, specialty practices or urgent care facilities may offer higher hourly rates without benefits—leading some to choose between steady health insurance and greater hourly pay. In negotiations, it’s advisable to emphasize the value of your experience and be aware of the local duties and demands, particularly in a city like North Charleston that thrives on a variety of healthcare settings.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in North Charleston in 2026?
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Are physician assistants in North Charleston paid hourly or salary?
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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 North Charleston. 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 North Charleston 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