Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Liberty, MO: $66.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Liberty, MO runs $66.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,200 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Liberty's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,923 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Liberty, Missouri, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $66.45, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $67.50. This competitive rate reflects the potential for both part-time and per-diem positions in various healthcare settings. For instance, those working three days a week can earn substantial hourly pay while balancing personal commitments. Entry-level physician assistants start at approximately $49.08 per hour, while more experienced practitioners can command up to $87.58 per hour. Such figures underscore the wide range of earnings in this profession, influenced by experience, specialty, and workplace setting, all derived from annual salary estimates.
About the Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.08 | $392.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.86 | $470.89 |
| Median (P50) | $66.45 | $531.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.63 | $621.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.58 | $700.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberty
Based on $66.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.45/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberty, MO can expect to earn approximately $138,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,734. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberty.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberty
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,657.80 | $11,517 | $138,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,594.68 | $6,910 | $82,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.12 | $4,607 | $55,282 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Liberty) | $66.45 |
| 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 Liberty, MO earn a median of $138,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.56% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $140,304.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.45/hr = $82,923/year (purchasing power: $92,549).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,206/year (purchasing power: $154,248).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Liberty grew 21.0% from $53.13/hr (2019) to $64.31/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.65/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Liberty
Considering part-time work, a physician assistant in Liberty working 24 hours a week could bring home around $83,712 annually, significantly less than full-time earnings but advantageous for those who prefer flexibility. Per diem physician assistant pay in Liberty can vary widely based on specialty; locum positions can earn between $75 and $130 per hour, particularly in procedural fields where earnings can reach up to $1,800 for a single day in orthopedic surgery. Different employers, such as hospitals, private practices, and urgent care facilities, often offer varied hourly rates, with W-2 positions typically providing benefits that might justify lower wages compared to 1099 locum roles. When negotiating pay, it's crucial for physician assistants to assess their personal priorities—balancing immediate financial compensation against long-term benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
More salary data for Liberty, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Liberty in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Liberty?
Are physician assistants in Liberty paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Liberty?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Liberty?
Related Pages
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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 Liberty. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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