Physician Assistant Salary in Independence, MO: $143,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Independence, MO earns a median $143,117/year (≈ $68.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Independence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $159,729 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Independence, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $143,117, slightly above the national median of $140,391. This projection represents a growing trend in the region, with salaries ranging from $106,994 at the lower end to $211,371 at the top, indicating a robust range influenced by factors such as the first-assist billing model, particularly prevalent in surgical practices. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, ensure that PAs in Independence are compensated well in light of their expanding roles and responsibilities within healthcare teams, particularly in outpatient settings and surgeries, where they often serve as first assistants.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,994 | $51.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,096 | $61.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,117 | $68.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,526 | $81.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,371 | $101.63 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, MO, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,377 (2026 est.). At $143,117, the local median is 1.94% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Independence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Independence Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Independence median: $143,117/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $140,173 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +1.94% more |
Physician Assistants in Independence, MO earn a median of $143,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.10% above the Missouri state average of $140,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Independence, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $143,117 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $159,729 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,439
2025 BLS Actual
$138,518
2026 Current Est.
$143,117
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,439 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,456 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,544 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,518 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $114,439 (2019) to $138,518 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,429 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $106,994 – $128,096 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,096 – $143,117 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,117 – $170,526 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,526 – $211,371 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Independence
Analyzing the local job market, there are approximately 30 physician assistants actively employed in Independence, which suggests a relatively stable niche with demand for skilled professionals. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 89.6, meaning PAs enjoy a lower living expense compared to national averages. Hence, take-home purchasing power should be considered favorable. The highest-paying opportunities typically arise in hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, especially those related to orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where skilled first-assist capabilities are in high demand. Differences in compensation can be attributed to specialty, case volume, and whether one is employed as a W-2 employee or operates in a 1099 locum capacity; thus, it's beneficial for PAs to target roles in higher-compensating specialties and seek positions that offer RVU-based productivity bonuses. With this strategic approach, those considering a career as a physician assistant in Independence, MO, can effectively maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Independence, MO:
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 $138,518 for physician assistantsin the Independence 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 Independence 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