Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Manhattan, KS: $91,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Manhattan, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $91,892 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Manhattan's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $101,091 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,326) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Manhattan, Kansas, can expect a starting salary of around $91,892, significantly lower than the city median of $128,326. This creates a substantial gap as newcomers to the profession navigate their initial years. However, as PAs gain experience, they can anticipate gradual salary increases, moving toward the 25th percentile salary of $111,922 within the first few years of practice. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, the market seems relatively favorable for recent graduates as they begin their careers in a city that offers employment opportunities for PAs, especially in primary care and urgent care settings.
About the Manhattan Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Manhattan
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
Entry-level physician assistants in Manhattan, KS typically start between $91,892 and $111,922 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,440 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,326 — 8.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Kansas of $60,000 represents just 65.29% of the starting physician assistant pay ($91,892/year) in Manhattan. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Manhattan
- 1Research the Manhattan market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $91,892 to $111,922, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Manhattan, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Manhattan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Manhattan's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Manhattan is $82,440 ( 89.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $91,892, experienced hygienists can earn up to $174,332.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,650
2025 BLS Actual
$88,939
2026 Current Est.
$91,892
2019–2027 Growth
+12.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,752 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,215 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,436 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,939 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,943 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Manhattan, KS grew 5.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $84,650 in 2019 to $88,939 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $94,943. New graduates entering the Manhattan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Manhattan
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New graduates entering this profession in Manhattan, KS, will find that various employers are willing to hire and train them. Primary care and urgent care clinics typically provide structured onboarding programs for entry-level physician assistants. Specialty settings, such as surgical subspecialties, may recruit PAs through residency or fellowship pipelines, while hospital medicine groups might offer night schedules that appeal to some graduates. Credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, and state licensure will be essential in boosting starting pay. Additionally, obtaining a Certificate of Added Qualifications in specific subspecialties can enhance earning potentials. New grads should focus on building their skills and experience in their first one to three years, particularly in surgical roles like orthopedics or cardiovascular surgery, where the highest salaries are realized due to first-assist billing. Realistic salary growth expectations exist for those in Manhattan, allowing newcomers to plan their financial trajectories accordingly.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Manhattan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Manhattan 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