Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Liberty, MO: $102,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Liberty, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $102,078 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Liberty's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $113,926 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($138,200) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
When considering a career as a physician assistant in Liberty, MO, new graduates can expect an entry-level salary that starts at around $102,078 in 2026. This figure presents a realistic outlook for recent PA program graduates entering the workforce, especially when compared to the median annual salary of $138,200 for all physician assistants in the area. Over the first few years, early-career PAs have the potential to see their salaries rise, eventually aligning closer to the P25 mark of $122,425. Given the projected growth rate of 3.32% annually, Liberty stands out as a favorable market for new PAs, offering promising salary growth and opportunities in the medical field for those just beginning their careers.
About the Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Liberty
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 Liberty
Entry-level physician assistants in Liberty, MO typically start between $102,078 and $122,425 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,100 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $138,200 — 1.56% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Missouri of $75,000 represents just 73.47% of the starting physician assistant pay ($102,078/year) in Liberty. 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 Liberty
- 1Research the Liberty market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $102,078 to $122,425, 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 MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Liberty, 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 Liberty for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Liberty'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 Liberty is $80,100 ( 78.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $102,078, experienced hygienists can earn up to $182,178.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,294
2025 BLS Actual
$98,798
2026 Current Est.
$102,078
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,294 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,251 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,484 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,775 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,167 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,798 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,467 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Liberty, MO grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,294 in 2019 to $98,798 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $105,467. New graduates entering the Liberty job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberty 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 Liberty
In Liberty, various healthcare settings are eager to recruit new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care environments where structured onboarding programs are common. Additionally, surgical subspecialty programs may consider candidates through PA residency or fellowship pipelines, enhancing professional development. Holding a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, obtaining the NCCPA national certification (PA-C), and securing a state PA license are essential credentials that can help boost starting pay in Missouri. The scope of practice for PAs is governed by state law and the collaboration with supervising physicians, influencing initial job responsibilities. For those pursuing roles in high-paying surgical fields, such as orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, a focus on first-assist billing can lead to better compensation. Looking ahead, aspiring PAs can anticipate modest salary increases in their first few years, solidifying Liberty as an attractive location for new graduate physician assistant pay in MO.
More salary data for Liberty, MO:
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 Liberty. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Liberty 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