Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $66.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Charlottesville, VA runs $66.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,974 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,782 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $66.33, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This figure provides a solid income for part-time workers or those in per diem roles across various settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. With an hourly range from $57.29 for entry-level positions to $81.90 for top earners, professionals entering this field can find ample opportunities to advance their careers. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data illustrates that job prospects remain strong, fueled by the growing demand for healthcare services in the area.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57.29 | $458.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.54 | $508.33 |
| Median (P50) | $66.33 | $530.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.90 | $655.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.90 | $655.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $66.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.33/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $137,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,598. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,653.26 | $11,497 | $137,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,591.95 | $6,898 | $82,782 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,061.30 | $4,599 | $55,188 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Charlottesville) | $66.33 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $137,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.72% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.60% above the Virginia state average of $130,657.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.33/hr = $82,782/year (purchasing power: $83,495).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,969/year (purchasing power: $139,158).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Charlottesville grew 29.2% from $49.70/hr (2019) to $64.20/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.53/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
For those considering a part-time schedule, working three days a week at 24 hours results in substantial annual earnings. Many physician assistants find themselves pursuing per diem opportunities, which can yield billing rates between $75 and $130 per hour, depending on specialty. Surgical PAs in orthopedics may earn between $1,200 and $1,800 daily for operating room coverage, while emergency medicine shifts can pull in $900 to $1,400 for a 12-hour day. Hourly rates can vary widely across employer types in Charlottesville; hospital systems often offer W-2 employment with benefits, while practices in specialties like orthopedics and urgent care may offer higher pay without health insurance. It's a balancing act where some opt for lower hourly rates to secure benefits, while others prioritize higher pay as 1099 contractors. When negotiating, physician assistants should seek clarity on salary versus benefits, maximizing their earnings potential in a vibrant healthcare environment.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville. 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