Physician Assistant Salary in Lawrence, KS: $130,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Lawrence, KS earns a median $130,534/year (≈ $62.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $144,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Lawrence, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $130,534, a figure that falls below the national median of $140,391. The salary range for this occupation varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning around $106,926 and the top 90% making approximately $142,819. These numbers are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to provide a reliable overview for prospective and current PAs. Given the local healthcare landscape, where employment structures often split between W-2 hospital positions and 1099 surgical practice roles, various opportunities exist that influence earnings significantly within this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,926 | $51.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,874 | $58.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,534 | $62.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,534 | $62.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,819 | $68.67 |
Median Salary Position
7.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,893 (2026 est.). At $130,534, the local median is 7.02% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be above the median
How Lawrence Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $130,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,600 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -7.02% less |
Physician Assistants in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $130,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.02% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.30% above the Kansas state average of $127,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $130,534 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,647 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,378
2025 BLS Actual
$126,340
2026 Current Est.
$130,534
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,378 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,289 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,997 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $104,378 (2019) to $126,340 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,490 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $106,926 – $120,874 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,874 – $130,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,534 – $130,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,534 – $142,819 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Lawrence
With about 30 physician assistants employed in the Lawrence area, the job market shows a modest yet stable presence for this profession. The cost of living index in Lawrence stands at 90.243, suggesting that the buying power for a physician assistant is relatively favorable. In this environment, compensation tends to be higher for roles in specialized sectors, such as surgical practices—particularly orthopedics and cardiothoracic—where first-assist billing can boost income, compared to primary care settings. The variation in pay reflects differences in call coverage, case volume, and the structured environment of hospital employment versus the flexibility of 1099 roles. To maximize physician assistant pay in Lawrence, negotiate to secure positions in high-demand specialties and seek out opportunities with robust RVU productivity bonuses while remaining informed about local job trends and employer expectations.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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
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 $126,340 for physician assistantsin the Lawrence 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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