Physician Assistant Salary in Independence, KY: $124,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Independence, KY earns a median $124,377/year (≈ $59.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Independence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $139,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average physician assistant salary in Independence, KY, is projected to be $124,377, reflecting the region's ongoing demand for healthcare professionals. With a salary range spanning from $93,789 at the lower end to $169,999 for the top 10%, these figures highlight the diversity in compensation depending on the specific field of practice. Surgical specialties typically yield higher wages than primary care roles, and this disparity is evident in the Independence market, where factors such as the complexity of cases and the volume of first-assist scenarios greatly influence earnings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates, shows that Independence's physician assistants operate in a competitive environment with distinct financial outcomes based on specialization.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,789 | $45.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,377 | $59.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,011 | $71.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,999 | $81.73 |
Median Salary Position
11.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, KY, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,210 (2026 est.). At $124,377, the local median is 11.41% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Independence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Independence Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Independence median: $124,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,380 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -11.41% less |
Physician Assistants in Independence, KY earn a median of $124,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.41% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $125,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Independence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $124,377 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,280 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,454
2025 BLS Actual
$120,380
2026 Current Est.
$124,377
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,454 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,227 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,667 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,188 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,506 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $99,454 (2019) to $120,380 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,052 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $93,789 – $111,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,210 – $124,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,377 – $149,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,011 – $169,999 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Independence
The local job market for physician assistants in Independence is relatively small but stable, with only five current professionals employed in the area. Coupled with a cost of living index of 89.3, which is below the national average, the financial landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities for PAs. Many of the highest-paying positions are found within hospital systems and surgical specialty practices — particularly orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, offering competitive salaries aligned with greater case complexities and first-assist roles. PAs looking to maximize their earnings should consider specializations that command higher compensation, seek roles with robust call coverage and additional RVU productivity bonuses, and remain open to negotiation within private practice structures. Understanding the nuances of how much do physician assistants make in Independence can lead to more informed career choices and advancement opportunities in this evolving field.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
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 $120,380 for physician assistantsin the Independence 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 Independence 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