Physician Assistant Salary in Helena, MT: $138,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Helena, MT earns a median $138,480/year (≈ $66.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $144,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, a physician assistant salary in Helena, Montana is set at a median of $138,480, which aligns closely with the national figure of $140,391. Within this area, salaries range significantly from $106,141 at the 10th percentile to $169,982 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, illustrates how the first-assist billing model in surgical settings can enhance compensation for PAs specializing in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. The growing demand in these specialties, coupled with the enhanced billing opportunities, makes for a competitive market for physician assistants in Helena, MT.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,141 | $51.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,351 | $63.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,480 | $66.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,990 | $78.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,982 | $81.73 |
Median Salary Position
1.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,841 (2026 est.). At $138,480, the local median is 1.36% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be above the median
How Helena Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Helena median: $138,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $139,456 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -1.36% less |
Physician Assistants in Helena, MT earn a median of $138,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.70% below the Montana state average of $139,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $138,480 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,732
2025 BLS Actual
$134,030
2026 Current Est.
$138,480
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,875 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,077 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $110,732 (2019) to $134,030 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,077 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,345 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $106,141 – $131,351 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,351 – $138,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,480 – $163,990 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,990 – $169,982 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Helena
Currently, around 70 physician assistants are employed in Helena, navigating a local job market that reflects wider trends in healthcare compensation. The cost of living index in Helena is 95.675, indicating that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the take-home purchasing power remains relatively robust. Employers such as hospital systems and specialized surgical practices tend to offer the highest salaries in the area, highlighting the importance of specialty selection for prospective PAs. Factors like case volume, first-assist roles, and potential for call coverage or RVU productivity bonuses significantly influence the salary spectrum. To maximize earning potential, PAs in Helena should consider targeting employment with higher-paying surgical specialties or hospital systems, along with pursuing additional certifications that enhance their marketability within the evolving landscape of healthcare.
More salary data for Helena, 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
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 $134,030 for physician assistantsin the Helena 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, 2-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