Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Waukesha, WI: $67.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Waukesha, WI runs $67.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,282 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Waukesha's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,767 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant hourly pay in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is projected to reach a median of $67.92, surpassing the national average of $67.50. This competitive hourly rate provides attractive opportunities for both part-time professionals, who might average around 24 hours a week over three days, and those opting for per-diem roles in various healthcare settings. As Waukesha hosts physician assistants working in environments such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics, earning potential varies significantly between entry-level positions starting at approximately $48.58 and seasoned professionals making up to $91.85 per hour. These estimates are calculated based on projected annual salary data and reflect the demand and scope of practice for physician assistants in WI.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.58 | $388.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.99 | $471.88 |
| Median (P50) | $67.92 | $543.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.31 | $642.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.85 | $734.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukesha
Based on $67.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.92/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukesha, WI can expect to earn approximately $141,279 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,507. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukesha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukesha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,716.90 | $11,773 | $141,279 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,630.14 | $7,064 | $84,767 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,086.76 | $4,709 | $56,512 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Waukesha) | $67.92 |
| 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 Waukesha, WI earn a median of $141,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.63% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $138,784.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.92/hr = $84,767/year (purchasing power: $90,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,279/year (purchasing power: $151,262).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Waukesha grew 21.0% from $54.31/hr (2019) to $65.74/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.18/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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha
Working part-time as a physician assistant in Waukesha can result in substantial earnings. A provider working three days a week could take home around $84,701 annually, while full-time peers benefit from the more consistent income that comes with regular hours. For those considering per diem positions, rates range significantly, with locum PAs billing between $75 and $130 per hour depending on their specialty. In high-demand areas like orthopedic surgeries or emergency medicine, daily rates can reach $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage or $900 to $1,400 for urgent care shifts. Hourly earnings can vary depending on the employer; hospital systems generally offer W-2 positions with benefits, while surgical specialty practices and urgent care facilities might present a higher hourly pay without health benefits. Given these dynamics, many physician assistants in Waukesha carefully assess their compensation packages, weighing lower hourly rates with benefits against higher rates that come without employer-provided health insurance. To maximize earning potential, negotiation can be key, especially in a market where demand for physician assistants continues to grow.
More salary data for Waukesha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Waukesha in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Waukesha?
Are physician assistants in Waukesha paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Waukesha?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Waukesha?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Waukesha. 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 Waukesha 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