Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $67.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Missoula, MT runs $67.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,472 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,684 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $67.05, aligning closely with the national median of $67.50. This hourly rate offers a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem opportunities within various healthcare environments, including operating rooms, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For those working three days a week, opportunities arise in diverse settings, which can lead to a balanced work-life equilibrium while earning competitive pay. The hourly pay spectrum for physician assistants in Missoula ranges from $52.42 for entry-level positions to $79.18 for experienced professionals topping the scale, according to the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.42 | $419.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.01 | $504.12 |
| Median (P50) | $67.05 | $536.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.39 | $595.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.18 | $633.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $67.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.05/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $139,474 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,466. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,682.19 | $11,623 | $139,474 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,609.31 | $6,974 | $83,684 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,072.87 | $4,649 | $55,789 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Missoula) | $67.05 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $139,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.65% lower than the national median of $140,391.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.05/hr = $83,684/year (purchasing power: $86,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,474/year (purchasing power: $144,615).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Missoula grew 17.7% from $55.14/hr (2019) to $64.90/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.28/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Missoula
Examining the financial landscape reveals significant earning potential for physician assistants who choose to work part-time or take per diem roles in Missoula. Working three days a week at 24 hours total would yield an annual compensation of approximately $83,892, which is reflective of a lifestyle choice that prioritizes flexibility over the full-time income. Alternatively, per diem physician assistant pay in Missoula can be particularly lucrative, with some locum PAs commanding billing rates between $75-$130 per hour, especially in specialty areas like orthopedics, where daily earnings can hit $1,200-$1,800 for operating room work. Various types of employers significantly influence hourly wages; those in hospital systems, while offering stability, may provide lower rates compared to surgical practices or urgent care chains that might pay more for flexibility. Given this dynamic, physician assistants are often faced with the challenge of balancing higher hourly rates without benefits against steady pay from employers with comprehensive health benefits. For those in Missoula, negotiating for a desired hourly rate requires understanding these trade-offs and considering what is most beneficial for their career and personal objectives.
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
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 Missoula. 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