Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $66.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Kansas City, MO runs $66.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,777 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,666 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, physician assistants earn a median hourly wage of $66.24, which falls slightly below the national median of $67.50. This competitive hourly rate is particularly attractive for those working part-time or per-diem schedules, allowing them to manage a work-life balance while still earning a solid income. For example, a part-time physician assistant working three days a week could generate considerable annual earnings, even while maintaining the flexibility of a reduced schedule. The hourly pay range in Kansas City spans from $50.47 for entry-level positions to approximately $82.33 for experienced practitioners, reflecting the diverse opportunities in various healthcare settings including operating rooms, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics. These figures are derived from official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, confirming the stability and demand for physician assistants in the area.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.47 | $403.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.24 | $449.90 |
| Median (P50) | $66.24 | $529.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.75 | $621.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.33 | $658.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $66.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.24/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $137,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,486. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,649.54 | $11,481 | $137,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,589.72 | $6,889 | $82,666 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,059.82 | $4,593 | $55,110 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Kansas City) | $66.24 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $137,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.80% below the Missouri state average of $140,303.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.24/hr = $82,666/year (purchasing power: $89,327).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,776/year (purchasing power: $148,878).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Kansas City grew 31.4% from $48.78/hr (2019) to $64.11/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.44/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Kansas City
Part-time physician assistants in Kansas City, who typically work around 24 hours a week, could see their annual take-home pay differ significantly from full-time colleagues. Given the hourly pay structure, they stand to earn a substantial income while enjoying the advantages of flexible scheduling. Those seeking per diem opportunities often find themselves in unique scenarios, with locum tenens physicians charging between $75-$130 per hour depending on their specialty. Surgical physician assistants, particularly in orthopedics, can command notably higher daily reimbursements, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 for operating room coverage. Hourly compensation can vary widely depending on employer type, with some hospital systems offering W-2 positions with benefits, whereas surgical specialty practices and urgent care facilities might favor 1099 arrangements that provide higher hourly wages with zero benefits. These choices require careful consideration, as PAs often need to balance income with the security of healthcare benefits. Negotiating effectively for hourly pay in Kansas City involves understanding market rates and recognizing what benefits align with long-term career goals.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Kansas City in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Kansas 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Kansas City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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