Physician Assistant Salary in Garden City, KS: $126,475 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Garden City, KS earns a median $126,475/year (≈ $60.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $139,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for physician assistants in 2026 is $126,475, reflecting a notable variance when compared to the national median of $140,391. The local salary range extends from $95,021 at the 10th percentile to $167,803 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential for PAs based on specialty and experience. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments indicate that Garden City's employment opportunities align more with the primary care setting, where salaries are typically lower than in surgical specialties. As the job market evolves, understanding the specialty gradient can inform prospective PAs about potential earnings in this vibrant Kansas community.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,021 | $45.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,931 | $54.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,475 | $60.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,451 | $72.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,803 | $80.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, KS, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,782 (2026 est.). At $126,475, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden City Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Garden City median: $126,475/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,624 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -9.91% less |
Physician Assistants in Garden City, KS earn a median of $126,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $127,624.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $126,475 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,136 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,132
2025 BLS Actual
$122,411
2026 Current Est.
$126,475
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,132 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,303 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,411 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,475 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,674 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $101,132 (2019) to $122,411 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,674 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,542 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $95,021 – $112,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,931 – $126,475 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,475 – $151,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,451 – $167,803 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Garden City
As of now, there are six physician assistants employed within Garden City, suggesting a relatively small but stable local market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, the purchasing power of a physician assistant salary in Garden City is bolstered, enabling better living conditions compared to more expensive urban areas. Employers in the region, particularly hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, tend to offer higher compensation packages, especially for those working in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. The disparity in pay often hinges on factors such as surgical case volume, the nature of call coverage, and productivity bonuses influenced by the RVU model. For PAs aiming to maximize earnings, pursuing roles within surgical settings or considering negotiation strategies in private practice can yield significant benefits in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Garden City, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $122,411 for physician assistantsin the Garden City metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Garden City 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