Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $70.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Billings, MT runs $70.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,167 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,707 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $70.28 in 2026, surpassing the national average of $67.50. This competitive hourly wage serves as a strong incentive for part-time and per-diem workers in various healthcare settings, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics. For those in entry-level positions, hourly rates start around $57.46, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $78.74. Such a range highlights the opportunities available for physician assistants in Billings, who may find work on flexible schedules that fit their lifestyle or even opt for per-diem positions, which allow for increased earning potential without the commitments of full-time employment. All figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57.46 | $459.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.34 | $514.70 |
| Median (P50) | $70.28 | $562.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.28 | $562.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.74 | $629.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $70.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.28/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $146,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,334. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,811.13 | $12,182 | $146,179 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,686.68 | $7,309 | $87,707 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,124.45 | $4,873 | $58,472 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Billings) | $70.28 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $146,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 4.80% above the Montana state average of $139,472.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.28/hr = $87,707/year (purchasing power: $93,778).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,179/year (purchasing power: $156,297).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Billings grew 26.2% from $53.89/hr (2019) to $68.02/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.61/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 Billings 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 Billings
Evaluating the part-time earning potential for a 24-hour workweek, a physician assistant in Billings could take home approximately $87,117 annually, while working full-time yields a significantly higher income. Per diem physician assistant pay in Billings can be exceptionally lucrative, with locum PAs often billing between $75-$130 per hour depending on specialty, and orthopedic surgical PAs commanding daily rates between $1,200 and $1,800 for OR coverage. Emergency medicine shifts, which typically last for 12 hours, can yield anywhere from $900 to $1,400. However, hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer; hospital systems may offer W-2 positions with benefits, while specialty practices and urgent care centers might operate on a 1099 basis. Some physician assistants choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and stability, while others prefer higher per-hour wages without the benefits. As budget-conscious PAs navigate these choices, negotiating hourly rates, especially in a city with a unique cost of living like Billings, will be crucial to their financial health and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Billings in 2026?
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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 Billings. 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, 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