Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $64.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Topeka, KS runs $64.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,109 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,474 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, the median physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $64.48 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time PAs, enabling them to earn a competitive wage across various medical settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For PAs working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a reliable income while still allowing flexibility in their schedules. The hourly pay range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $47.68 and experienced professionals, particularly those in specialized fields, earning up to $87.22. This data, gathered from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and projected based on 2025 data, emphasizes the stability and lucrative potential of the PA profession in Topeka.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.68 | $381.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.75 | $454.03 |
| Median (P50) | $64.48 | $515.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.35 | $546.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.22 | $697.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $64.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.48/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $134,123 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,378. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,579.28 | $11,177 | $134,123 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,547.57 | $6,706 | $80,474 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,031.71 | $4,471 | $53,649 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Topeka) | $64.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Topeka, KS earn a median of $134,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.47% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 5.10% above the Kansas state average of $127,602.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.48/hr = $80,474/year (purchasing power: $90,603).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,123/year (purchasing power: $151,005).
CoL index: 88.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Topeka grew 11.4% from $56.01/hr (2019) to $62.41/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.62/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Topeka
When considering part-time work, a physician assistant working 24 hours a week can anticipate taking home an annual income significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Many PAs engage in per diem work, allowing them to bill between $75 and $130 per hour, depending on their specialty. In surgical settings, such as orthopedics, PAs might earn up to $1,800 daily, while emergency medicine shifts can yield $900 to $1,400 for a 12-hour period. Additionally, hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer type; hospital systems may offer W-2 positions with stable benefits, while specialty practices or urgent care facilities might present opportunities with higher hourly wages but fewer perks. This trade-off often leads some PAs in Topeka to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance. For those negotiating hourly pay, it's advisable to emphasize the value they bring to their practice and weigh structured benefits against potential higher wages as independent contractors. Understanding these dynamics can empower PAs as they navigate their career paths in a growing market.
More salary data for Topeka, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Topeka. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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