Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Bozeman, MT: $70.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Bozeman, MT runs $70.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,508 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Bozeman's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,901 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected at $70.43 for 2026, exceeding the national hourly median of $67.50. This higher rate positions Bozeman as a competitive market for physician assistants, particularly for those working part-time or in per-diem roles across various healthcare settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinics. Part-time work, which often consists of three days per week, allows PAs to balance their professional and personal lives while earning a respectable wage. The hourly pay range for physician assistants in the area spans from $55.85 at the 10th percentile to $81.27 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a spectrum of expertise and experience within this essential healthcare role. The figures presented here are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55.85 | $446.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.28 | $538.26 |
| Median (P50) | $70.43 | $563.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.07 | $624.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.27 | $650.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bozeman
Based on $70.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.43/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bozeman, MT can expect to earn approximately $146,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,520. With a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bozeman.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bozeman
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,817.33 | $12,208 | $146,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,690.40 | $7,325 | $87,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,126.93 | $4,883 | $58,600 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Bozeman) | $70.43 |
| 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 Bozeman, MT earn a median of $146,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.36% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 5.00% above the Montana state average of $139,531.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.43/hr = $87,901/year (purchasing power: $85,748).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,501/year (purchasing power: $142,914).
CoL index: 102.51 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Bozeman grew 21.0% from $56.32/hr (2019) to $68.17/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.77/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 Bozeman 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 Bozeman
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Earning potential for physician assistants in Bozeman can vary significantly, especially for those opting for part-time work or per diem positions. A PA working three days a week, approximately 24 hours, can expect to take home around $87,363 annually, offering a solid income while maintaining flexibility. In contrast, per diem physician assistant pay in Bozeman can reach rates of $75-$130 per hour depending on the specialty, meaning some PAs in fields like orthopedics may earn as much as $1,200 to $1,800 daily for surgical coverage. Additionally, hourly rates can differ among various employers; hospital systems typically offer W-2 positions with standard benefits, while surgical specialty practices or urgent care facilities may provide higher hourly wages but fewer benefits. This trade-off plays a crucial role in how PAs choose their work environments. For those negotiating hourly rates, especially in a growing market like Bozeman, it’s beneficial to consider both salary and benefits in reaching a favorable agreement with potential employers.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Bozeman in 2026?
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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 Bozeman. 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, 2-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