Physician Assistant Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $145,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $145,764/year (≈ $70.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $169,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the compensation for physician assistants reflects the structural choices between employment with hospitals and private surgical practices. With a projected median annual salary of $145,764 in 2026, local PAs earn slightly more than their national counterparts, who average $140,391, making the physician assistant salary in Cape Girardeau competitive but distinct. Salary ranges for the role span from $114,902 at the 10th percentile to as high as $175,282 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the breadth of earning potential. This data is derived from systematic BLS OEWS surveys, which reveal an encouraging market outlook as Cape Girardeau continues to attract and retain healthcare talent amid growing demand in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,902 | $55.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,583 | $66.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,764 | $70.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,263 | $75.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,282 | $84.27 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,380 (2026 est.). At $145,764, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be above the median
How Cape Girardeau Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $145,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $140,292 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +3.83% more |
Physician Assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $145,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 3.90% above the Missouri state average of $140,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $145,764 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $169,339 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,556
2025 BLS Actual
$141,080
2026 Current Est.
$145,764
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,556 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,181 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,832 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $116,556 (2019) to $141,080 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,047 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $114,902 – $138,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,583 – $145,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,764 – $157,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,263 – $175,282 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Cape Girardeau
The job market for physician assistants in Cape Girardeau comprises approximately 40 professionals, highlighting a stable yet competitive local landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 86.078, PAs in the area benefit from an advantageous economic environment where their salaries stretch further than in many other regions. Among local employers, hospital systems typically provide robust benefits and salaries for W-2 positions, though surgical specialties, particularly those in orthopedics and cardiothoracic disciplines, often offer enhanced compensation for first-assist roles. Key factors influencing the pay spectrum include the case volume handled, call responsibilities, and the type of practice arrangement—be it a hospital or private setting. To maximize earnings, prospective PAs should consider pursuing specialties with higher demand and driven productivity bonuses, as well as actively engage in negotiating contracts that reflect their skills and the value they bring to their practice.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 $141,080 for physician assistantsin the Cape Girardeau 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
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