Senior Physician Assistant Salary in Topeka, KS: $181,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physician assistants working in Topeka, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $181,420/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1071. Strip back Topeka's price premium (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $204,256 in average-cost America. The 35% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected 2026 median annual salary of $134,109, senior physician assistants in Topeka, Kansas, enjoy considerable earning potential, particularly at the top end of the pay scale. Those in the 90th percentile can earn as much as $181,420, demonstrating a significant premium for experience and specialization when compared to the national fiscal landscape, where the median sits at $140,391. This creates a rare opportunity for experienced PAs to capitalize on their advanced skills and years of service; the gap between the median and top earners highlights the compelling financial incentives for those willing to pursue leadership roles or niche specializations. To ascend to this elite tier of compensation requires not only clinical expertise but also strategic career moves that may involve further certifications and opportunities within high-paying fields.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
Experienced physician assistants at the top of the pay scale in Topeka earn between $142,148 and $181,420 per year (2026 est.). This $82,243 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Topeka median of $134,109 sits 4.47% below the US median.
Top PA Salary Comparison
| Level | Topeka | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $134,109 | $140,391 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,148 | $169,424 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $181,420 | $196,597 |
In Topeka, experienced physician assistants (P90) earn 35.28% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physician Assistant Pay in Topeka
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS physician assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physician assistant field earn significantly above the $134,109 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Topeka employers.
Specialty Focus
Physician Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physician assistant field in Topeka command premium compensation, often reaching the $142,148–$181,420 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Topeka 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 Topeka 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 Topeka
Clinical Physician Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physician Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysician Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedTopeka ranks #5 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner physician assistant salary (90th percentile: $181,420).
Top 10% physician assistant compensation in Topeka ($181,420) is 5.81% above the Kansas average P90 ($171,461).
2019 BLS Actual
$160,290
2025 BLS Actual
$175,590
2026 Current Est.
$181,420
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $160,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $157,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $151,911 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $175,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $181,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $187,443 | Projected |
Top-earning physician assistants (90th percentile) in Topeka saw their compensation grow 9.5% from $160,290 in 2019 to $175,590 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 $187,443 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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 Topeka
Senior physician assistants in Topeka can leverage various specializations for enhanced compensation, particularly in high-demand areas like surgical practices—orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery often lead the pack in terms of pay. Employment settings also significantly impact earning potential; hospital systems and specialty practices generally offer more substantial financial packages, including structured salaries with benefits, compared to urgent care or primary care offices that might utilize a 1099 arrangement. The path to advancement includes roles such as lead PA or residency director, which help define a career trajectory beyond standard clinical duties. Achieving advanced certifications from accredited programs, such as the NCCPA credential, further boosts a PA's marketability. Additionally, non-salary incentives such as RVU productivity bonuses or first-assist case volume can enhance overall compensation, making it vital for senior physician assistants to explore every avenue for financial growth in Topeka, KS.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physician assistants make in Topeka in 2026?
What drives higher physician assistant pay in Topeka?
What certifications boost physician assistant salary in Topeka?
Can experienced physician assistants make six figures in Topeka?
How much does physician assistant salary increase over time in Topeka?
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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 $175,590 for physician assistants in the Topeka 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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