Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Maryland Heights, MO: $101,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Maryland Heights, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $101,387 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Maryland Heights's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $113,155 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,732) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the workforce as a physician assistant in Maryland Heights, Missouri, presents new graduates with competitive starting opportunities. In 2026, the data forecasts that entry-level positions will start at around $101,387, which is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $137,732. This gap indicates a growth trajectory where new graduates can expect steady increases over their initial years, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $121,433 within the first few years. Given Maryland Heights' supportive healthcare environment and a projected annual growth rate in the sector of 3.32%, it stands to be a favorable market for recent graduates to secure their first positions and build meaningful career pathways.
About the Maryland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Maryland Heights
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 Maryland Heights
Entry-level physician assistants in Maryland Heights, MO typically start between $101,387 and $121,433 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $92,273 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,732 — 1.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Missouri of $75,000 represents just 73.97% of the starting physician assistant pay ($101,387/year) in Maryland Heights. 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 Maryland Heights
- 1Research the Maryland Heights market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $101,387 to $121,433, 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 Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Maryland Heights'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 Maryland Heights is $92,273 ( 91.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $101,387, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,660.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,805
2025 BLS Actual
$98,129
2026 Current Est.
$101,387
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Maryland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,194 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,652 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,753 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Maryland Heights, MO grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,805 in 2019 to $98,129 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $104,753. New graduates entering the Maryland Heights job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights
Employment opportunities for newly minted PAs in Maryland Heights are often found in primary care and urgent care settings, which typically offer structured onboarding programs. Hospitals in the area may also recruit early-career PAs for roles in night-only shifts or for surgical subspecialties that often necessitate additional training through residency programs. Possessing a graduate degree from an ARC-PA accredited institution, along with certification from the NCCPA as a physician assistant (PA-C) and state licensure, can enhance the starting physician assistant salary in Maryland Heights. Furthermore, exploring specialized certifications can elevate earning potential as PAs in high-demand fields, especially critical care and surgical positions, often receive higher compensation due to the first-assist billing structure. As new graduates navigate their first three years, salary growth is generally achievable, especially if they are proactive about pursuing further education and professional development in line with the expanding PA scope of practice.
More salary data for Maryland Heights, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Maryland Heights in 2026?
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Is physician assistant school worth it in Maryland Heights?
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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 Maryland Heights. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Maryland Heights 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