Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Helena, MT: $66.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Helena, MT runs $66.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,480 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Helena's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,091 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Helena, Montana, the physician assistant hourly pay is projected to be $66.58 in 2026, closely aligned with the national hourly median of $67.50. This compensation facilitates various work arrangements in the medical field, making it attractive for part-time roles or per diem assignments in settings such as operating rooms, emergency departments, ambulatory clinics, and urgent care facilities. Entry-level positions in this area can expect to earn around $51.03 per hour, while more experienced professionals at the higher end of the spectrum can command approximately $81.73 per hour. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, offering insights into the competitive nature of physician assistant salaries in MT.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.03 | $408.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.15 | $505.19 |
| Median (P50) | $66.58 | $532.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.84 | $630.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.73 | $653.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Helena
Based on $66.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.58/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Helena, MT can expect to earn approximately $138,485 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,895. With a cost-of-living index of 95.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Helena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Helena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,663.18 | $11,540 | $138,485 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,597.91 | $6,924 | $83,091 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,065.27 | $4,616 | $55,394 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Helena) | $66.58 |
| 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 Helena, MT earn a median of $138,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.70% below the Montana state average of $139,456.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.58/hr = $83,091/year (purchasing power: $86,847).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,485/year (purchasing power: $144,745).
CoL index: 95.675 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Helena grew 21.0% from $53.24/hr (2019) to $64.44/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.79/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 Helena 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 Helena
For those considering part-time options, a physician assistant working three days a week at approximately 24 hours will see a significant annual income. While this might provide a solid work-life balance, the earning potential varies considerably for those choosing either traditional employment or per diem opportunities. Per diem physician assistant pay in Helena can range widely; locum tenens PAs can bill anywhere from $75 to $130 per hour based on their specialty, with some surgical PAs earning between $1,200 and $1,800 for daily operating room coverage. Whether working for larger hospital systems or smaller specialty practices, hourly rates often reflect the employer type, with additional benefits like health insurance sometimes leading PAs to prefer lower hourly wages. Negotiation strategies can be pivotal especially for hourly workers in Helena, as professionals weigh the importance of salary against job security and benefits that may come with full-time employment.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Helena in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Helena?
Are physician assistants in Helena paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Helena?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Helena?
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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 Helena. 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