Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Missoula, MT: $109,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Missoula, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $109,044 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Missoula's local price level (BEA RPP 96.4 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $113,063 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,472) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physician assistant workforce in Missoula, Montana, can expect initial salaries around the entry-level benchmark of $109,044 in 2026. While this starting pay is lower than the city’s median salary of $139,472, it reflects a realistic expectation for new grads as they navigate their first position. Early-career PAs may see their earnings gradually increase as they gain experience, with the potential to reach $131,082 within a few years. Given Missoula's favorable economic conditions and supportive healthcare community, it presents a promising market for newly licensed physician assistants eager to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Missoula
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 Missoula
Entry-level physician assistants in Missoula, MT typically start between $109,044 and $131,082 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,648 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,472 — 0.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Montana of $68,000 represents just 62.36% of the starting physician assistant pay ($109,044/year) in Missoula. 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 Missoula
- 1Research the Missoula market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $109,044 to $131,082, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Missoula, 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 Missoula for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Missoula's moderate 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 Missoula is $55,648 ( 51.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $109,044, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,692.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,340
2025 BLS Actual
$105,540
2026 Current Est.
$109,044
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,664 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Missoula, MT grew 22.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $86,340 in 2019 to $105,540 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,664. New graduates entering the Missoula job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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 Missoula
Employers in Missoula actively seek new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary and urgent care settings, which offer comprehensive onboarding programs tailored for recent graduates. Additionally, specialized surgical subspecialty programs and hospital medicine groups often recruit new PAs through residencies, providing exposure and training to advance their skills. Earning credentials like a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and obtaining NCCPA certification strengthen a candidate's prospects for a competitive salary. To maximize initial earning potential, new PAs should consider pursuing optional Certificate of Added Qualifications in relevant subspecialties. In the first few years, strategic career planning is essential, especially since surgical PAs tend to command higher salaries due to first-assist billing. With realistic salary growth expectations, new graduates can anticipate steady upward mobility in their pay and responsibilities as they establish themselves within Montana’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
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 Missoula. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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