Physician Assistant Salary in Kansas City, KS: $138,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Kansas City, KS earns a median $138,653/year (≈ $66.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $152,534 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% above the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $138,653, slightly below the national average of $140,391. This figure reflects the market dynamics within the city where specialization plays a significant role. The salary ranges from a lower threshold of $95,861 at the 10th percentile to a high of $194,641 at the 90th percentile. Current estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that surgical specialties typically offer higher compensation, particularly for roles in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, compared to primary care settings. Such distinctions in pay highlight the ongoing demand for specialized training and skillsets in Kansas City's healthcare market.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,861 | $46.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,197 | $56.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,653 | $66.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,587 | $80.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,641 | $93.58 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, KS, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,780 (2026 est.). At $138,653, the local median is 1.24% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kansas City Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $138,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,673 | +8.60% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -1.24% less |
Physician Assistants in Kansas City, KS earn a median of $138,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.60% above the Kansas state average of $127,673.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $138,653 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,534 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,870
2025 BLS Actual
$134,198
2026 Current Est.
$138,653
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,411 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,024 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,198 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,257 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $110,870 (2019) to $134,198 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,257 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,387 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $95,861 – $118,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,197 – $138,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,653 – $167,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,587 – $194,641 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Kansas City
With only 25 physician assistants employed in the area, the job market remains relatively tight, providing opportunities for competitive offers. The cost-of-living index in Kansas City stands at 90.9, which below the national average means that the earnings for many health professionals, including PAs, afford a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to provide the most lucrative packages, thanks to factors like call coverage, first-assist case volume, and productivity bonuses. The spread in salaries can be attributed largely to the differences in practice settings, such as the financial incentives tied to the volume of RVUs (Relative Value Units) generated. For those pursuing a career in this field, aligning with high-demand specialties and seeking hospital employment can significantly enhance overall compensation and job security in Kansas City.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Kansas City, KS in 2026?
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Kansas City?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,198 for physician assistantsin the Kansas City metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kansas City 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