Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $83.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Seattle, WA runs $83.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,844 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,709 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, WA, physician assistant hourly pay stands at a competitive $83.10, significantly above the national median of $67.50. This premium compensation reflects the high demand for PAs in various clinical settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. For part-time and per-diem workers, taking on shifts just three days a week can offer substantial earnings, particularly with opportunities in urgent care and specialty practices. The hourly pay range for physician assistants in Seattle varies from $64.98 for entry-level positions to $108.76 for seasoned professionals, providing a clear pathway for career growth and specialization.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64.98 | $519.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77.90 | $623.23 |
| Median (P50) | $83.10 | $664.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.76 | $718.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.76 | $870.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $83.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.10/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $172,849 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,720. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,324.01 | $14,404 | $172,849 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,994.41 | $8,642 | $103,709 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,329.60 | $5,762 | $69,139 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Seattle) | $83.10 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $172,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.12% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 8.50% above the Washington state average of $159,303.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.10/hr = $103,709/year (purchasing power: $93,320).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,849/year (purchasing power: $155,533).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Seattle grew 24.0% from $64.84/hr (2019) to $80.43/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.86/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
For PAs considering part-time work, taking on a three-day workweek effectively translates into a considerable annual income, albeit lower than a full-time equivalent. Many PAs choose per diem roles that can yield wages between $75 and $130 an hour, with orthopedic surgical PAs earning impressively high daily rates of $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room shifts. The type of employer also greatly influences hourly compensation, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 employment that includes benefits, while surgical practices and locum opportunities often lead to higher hourly payouts but without health insurance. This trade-off can be a significant factor for many when negotiating their pay. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their value based on the specific demands of their specialty and be aware that different employers may present varying compensation packages, allowing them to secure the most equitable terms for their skills and experience in the Seattle market.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Seattle 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 Seattle. 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