AZ · Phoenix · Updated October 15, 2026

Physician Assistant jobs in Phoenix, AZ

The median physician assistant pay in the Phoenix area is $64.41 per hour ($133,970 a year), with the typical range running from $61.38 to $76.50. That ranks 100th of 329 U.S. metro areas for physician assistant pay, and 214th of 301 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 22 hospitals in Phoenix. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Phoenix.

More open Physician Assistant roles in Phoenix

3 more open roles from employers in Phoenix. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Physician Assistant pay in Phoenix, AZ

The metro median is 1% below the Arizona statewide median of $65.02 per hour. Nationally the median is $64.07 per hour. BLS counts about 2,870 physician assistants employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.22).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$52.40$108,99018% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$61.38$127,6704% below U.S. median
Median$64.41$133,9701% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$76.50$159,12019% above U.S. median
Top 10%$84.41$175,57032% above U.S. median

How Phoenix ranks

  • 100th of 329 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 214th of 301 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 6 Arizona metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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What your pay buys in Phoenix

  • Overall prices in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler run 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 21% above the U.S. average (index 121.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $64.41 median hour buys what $62.34 buys at the national price level, 3% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Phoenix paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,319
  • Per year: $115,938
  • Per month: $9,661

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Phoenix

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$160
Meals and incidentals per day$86
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,722
13-week assignment$22,386

Travel physician assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Hospitals in Phoenix

CMS lists 22 hospitals in Phoenix, 4 of the 11 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of physician assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Mayo Clinic Hospital
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Phoenix Va Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Honorhealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
St Josephs Hospital And Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Abrazo Scottsdale Campus
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careFor-profit3 of 5Yes
Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Banner Estrella Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Honor Health John C. Lincoln Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Honorhealth Deer Valley Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Abrazo Central Campus
Phoenix, AZ
Acute careOther2 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Maricopa County

HRSA lists 49 active primary care shortage designations that include Maricopa County (12 geographic, 11 population-group, 26 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Physician Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Glendale, AZ6 mi$64.41/hr258,143
Scottsdale, AZ15 mi$64.41/hr246,170

Physician Assistant jobs in Arizona · Physician Assistant jobs nationwide

Physician Assistant salary in Arizona

License and tax basics in Arizona

Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arizona requires for your role with the Arizona licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Arizona taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Arizona state guide

Other healthcare roles in Phoenix

Phoenix city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do physician assistants make in Phoenix, AZ?

Physician Assistants in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area have a median pay of $64.41 per hour, about $133,970 a year. The middle half earn between $61.38 and $76.50 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Phoenix a good place for physician assistants once cost of living is counted?

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler ranks 214th of 301 metro areas for physician assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 100th of 329 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% above the U.S. average.

Where do physician assistants work in Phoenix?

CMS lists 22 hospitals in Phoenix, led by Mayo Clinic Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Arizona license to work in Phoenix as a physician assistant?

Master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arizona requires for your role with the Arizona licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Phoenix in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 49 active primary care shortage designations that include Maricopa County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Phoenix?

The federal per diem benchmark in Phoenix is $160 a night for lodging and $86 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,722 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place physician assistants in Phoenix?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Phoenix and across Arizona. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Phoenix.

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Pay report · PA near Phoenix, AZ
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your PA pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Arizona list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Canyon Pain and Spine PLLCGoodyear, AZ · 1 wage offer$61.49/ hr$61–$61
  • Stanford Children's HealthPalo Alto, CA · 4 postings$104.30/ hr$94–$115
  • Valley Children's HealthcareMadera, CA · 3 postings$103.69/ hr$75–$123
  • MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 4 postings$100.70/ hr$86–$108

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Arizona list

2What they are offering now

Low$49Median$70.67High$89

426 PA postings with published pay in the US, 356 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open PA roles

Open PA roles near Phoenix, AZ, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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