Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Overland Park, KS: $89,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Overland Park, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $89,657 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Overland Park's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $98,633 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,702) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Overland Park, KS, new graduates entering the physician assistant profession can expect a starting salary of around $89,657 in 2026. This figure reflects the lower percentile of the salary range, which offers a realistic benchmark for entry-level positions in a competitive healthcare market. While this amount is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $129,702, early-career PAs can anticipate growth in their earnings, moving towards the $110,553 mark as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, it's clear that Overland Park is an inviting market for new PA graduates, particularly considering the area’s healthcare framework which supports ongoing professional development and advancement.
About the Overland Park Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Overland Park
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Overland Park
Entry-level physician assistants in Overland Park, KS typically start between $89,657 and $110,553 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,800 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,702 — 7.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Kansas of $60,000 represents just 66.92% of the starting physician assistant pay ($89,657/year) in Overland Park. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Overland Park
- 1Research the Overland Park market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $89,657 to $110,553, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Overland Park, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Overland Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Overland Park's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Overland Park is $100,800 ( 112.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $89,657, experienced hygienists can earn up to $190,457.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,497
2025 BLS Actual
$86,776
2026 Current Est.
$89,657
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Overland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,189 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,337 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,776 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,634 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Overland Park, KS grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,497 in 2019 to $86,776 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $92,634. New graduates entering the Overland Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Overland Park 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.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Overland Park
Within Overland Park, various employers are keen to onboard new graduate physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings where structured training programs are common. Surgical subspecialties may attract applicants through residency or fellowship pathways that cater to recent PA graduates, while hospital medicine groups often offer flexible night-only schedules suited to those entering the profession. Credentials such as a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, a state PA license, and even optional specializations through Certificate of Added Qualifications can significantly enhance starting pay in Kansas. Given the evolving landscape of PA practice, including collaborative models that many states adopted post-2020, professionals can expect realistic salary growth in their first few years, especially for those who work in surgical fields where billing for first-assist roles can elevate earnings substantially.
More salary data for Overland Park, KS:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Overland Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Overland Park 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