Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Shawnee, KS: $173,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Shawnee, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $173,404/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Shawnee's price premium (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $190,763 in average-cost America. The 39% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, experienced physician assistants in Shawnee, Kansas, have the potential to achieve impressive compensation, with top earners (P90) reaching a substantial $173,404 annually. The upper tier of senior physician assistant pay in Shawnee offers significant advantages over the median salary of $124,405, highlighting the rewards of advanced experience and specialization. Reaching such top-tier pay typically involves focusing on high-demand areas of expertise, pursuing additional certifications, and seeking leadership roles. With a growing recognition of the vital role PAs play in healthcare delivery, those who elevate their skills through continued education or specialization are well-positioned to capture these elevated salary ranges that significantly outpace the general market.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shawnee
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Shawnee earn between $150,580 and $173,404 per year (2026 est.). This $80,037 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Shawnee median of $124,405 sits 11.39% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Shawnee | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $124,405 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $150,580 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $173,404 | $196,597 |
In Shawnee, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 39.39% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Shawnee
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $124,405 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Shawnee employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Shawnee command premium compensation, often reaching the $150,580–$173,404 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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 Shawnee
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedShawnee ranks #9 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $173,404).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Shawnee ($173,404) is 1.13% above the Kansas average P90 ($171,461).
2019 BLS Actual
$138,584
2025 BLS Actual
$167,832
2026 Current Est.
$173,404
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Shawnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,584 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,303 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,199 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,286 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,161 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Shawnee saw their compensation grow 21.1% from $138,584 in 2019 to $167,832 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 $179,161 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee 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 Shawnee
Compensation for seasoned physician assistants in Shawnee is influenced by their area of specialization. Fields such as surgical assistance—particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic roles—emerge as top earners due to the associated first-assist billing practices. Similarly, positions in emergency medicine and critical care are also competitive. The distinctions in compensation are further delineated by employer type; for example, hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment with benefits, while private practices and surgical specialty clinics may provide higher pay but with different structures, such as 1099 agreements. Advanced credentials, including a Master’s from ARC-PA accredited programs and a NCCPA certification, are essential for commanding higher salaries. Opportunities for career advancement are abundant, leading to roles like surgical first assist coordinator, PA residency director, or even positions within the AAPA. Ultimately, factors such as case volume, specialty-specific reimbursement models, and call coverage arrangements can significantly influence total compensation for senior physician assistants in KS.
More salary data for Shawnee, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Shawnee in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Shawnee?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Shawnee?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Shawnee?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Shawnee?
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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 $167,832 for physician assistants in the Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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