PA Salary

Maryland Heights vs Springfield: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Maryland Heights, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maryland Heights, MO
$137,732
$66.22/hr
Springfield, MO
$133,562
$64.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaryland Heights, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$137,732$133,562
Hourly Rate$66.22$64.21
Entry Level (P10)$101,387$113,838
25th Percentile$121,433$123,974
75th Percentile$160,480$157,470
Top Earner (P90)$193,660$164,651
Total Employed5300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maryland Heights ($137,732) and Springfield ($133,562) physician assistant salaries.Maryland HeightsSpringfieldMedian Salary$137,732$133,562Entry Level (P10)$101,387$113,838Top Earner (P90)$193,660$164,651US Median $140,391

Verdict

Maryland Heights, MO offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Maryland Heights and Springfield is $4,170 (3.12%). Maryland Heights's median is -1.89% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maryland Heights spans $92,273,Springfield spans $50,813. Maryland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Maryland Heights
P10 (Entry)$101,387
P25$121,433
Median$137,732
P75$160,480
P90 (Top)$193,660
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$113,838
P25$123,974
Median$133,562
P75$157,470
P90 (Top)$164,651

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Maryland Heights ($153,719 effective) pays 1.95% more than Springfield ($150,773 effective).

Maryland Heights
Nominal: $137,732
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $153,719
Springfield
Nominal: $133,562
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $150,773

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maryland Heights if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,732/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($193,660)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $153,719)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Maryland Heights grew 28.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Maryland Heights, MO

+28.4%

$103,840 (2024) → $133,306 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+32.0%

$97,960 (2019) → $129,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Maryland Heights or Springfield?

Maryland Heights has a higher median physician assistant salary at $137,732/year, compared to Springfield at $133,562/year — a difference of $4,170 (3.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maryland Heights and Springfield?

Maryland Heights physician assistants earn $66.22/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $64.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maryland Heights to Springfield as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maryland Heights and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maryland Heights = $153,719, Springfield = $150,773), job availability (5 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Maryland Heights vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $101,387 in Maryland Heights and $113,838 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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