Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Garden City, KS: $167,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Garden City, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $167,803/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Garden City's price premium (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $184,602 in average-cost America. The 33% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, senior physician assistants in Garden City, Kansas, can anticipate a significant earning potential with figures reaching a top-tier salary of $167,803. The wealth of opportunity for experienced professionals is characterized by a median annual salary of $126,475, illustrating a distinct gap that highlights the value of advanced experience and specialization in this market. Achieving such premier compensation requires a strategic focus on areas of high demand and specialization, as well as a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development which is crucial in a competitive landscape.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Garden City earn between $151,451 and $167,803 per year (2026 est.). This $72,782 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Garden City median of $126,475 sits 9.91% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Garden City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $126,475 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,451 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $167,803 | $196,597 |
In Garden City, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 32.68% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Garden City
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $126,475 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Garden City employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Garden City command premium compensation, often reaching the $151,451–$167,803 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Garden City metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physician assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physician assistants in Garden City with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physician Assistants in Kansas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physician Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Garden City
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGarden City ranks #12 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $167,803).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Garden City ($167,803) is 2.13% below the Kansas average P90 ($171,461).
2019 BLS Actual
$134,108
2025 BLS Actual
$162,411
2026 Current Est.
$167,803
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,108 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $140,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,497 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,411 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,374 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Garden City saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $134,108 in 2019 to $162,411 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $173,374 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden 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.
Maximizing Your Physician Assistant Earnings in Garden City
Compensation for seasoned physician assistants varies dramatically based on specialization and type of employer. Surgical PAs, particularly in fields such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, experience some of the highest wages due to their critical contribution to the operating room and eligibility for first-assist billing. In contrast, those within hospital systems often find their earnings linked to structured salary models and additional benefits, while prime opportunities can emerge in private practice settings where 1099 compensation arrangements may offer higher pay flexibility. Leadership roles also present lucrative avenues, with opportunities for advancement into positions like PA program faculty, hospital chief PA, or residency program directors, all of which can command considerable respect and compensation. Mastery of advanced credentials from accredited programs, along with the NCCPA national certification, is essential for maximizing senior physician assistant pay in KS, and specialists who cover high-demand areas may benefit further from non-salary incentives such as RVU productivity bonuses and call coverage stipends.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Garden City in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Garden City?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Garden City?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Garden City?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Garden 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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $162,411 for physician assistants in the Garden City metro area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Garden 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