Physician Assistant Salary in Bismarck, ND: $133,954 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Bismarck, ND earns a median $133,954/year (≈ $64.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $147,163 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Bismarck, North Dakota, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $133,954 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market for healthcare professionals in the region. When considering the entire salary range from $55,059 at the 10th percentile to $168,133 at the 90th percentile, it's clear that specialization plays a significant role in compensation. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, also highlights the local dynamics, where surgical PAs, particularly in specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, typically command higher wages compared to their counterparts in primary care settings. As the demand for skilled healthcare providers continues to grow, Bismarck's job market remains an attractive option for new graduates and established professionals alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,059 | $26.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,583 | $53.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,954 | $64.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,135 | $67.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,133 | $80.84 |
Median Salary Position
4.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,074 (2026 est.). At $133,954, the local median is 4.59% below the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be above the median
How Bismarck Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $133,954/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $129,175 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -4.59% less |
Physician Assistants in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $133,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.59% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.70% above the North Dakota state average of $129,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $133,954 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,163 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,000
2025 BLS Actual
$129,650
2026 Current Est.
$133,954
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,954 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 27.1% from $102,000 (2019) to $129,650 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,402 (35.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $55,059 – $110,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,583 – $133,954 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,954 – $141,135 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,135 – $168,133 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Bismarck
In Bismarck, roughly 80 physician assistants are currently employed, contributing to a stable healthcare workforce in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 91.024, the purchasing power for salaries in this city is relatively favorable compared to the national average, enhancing take-home compensation. Among local employers, hospital systems often offer the highest salaries, particularly for PAs in surgical roles, due to greater first-assist case volumes and potential productivity bonuses. The variation in pay between specialties is influenced by factors such as call coverage requirements and the structural differences between hospital employment and private practice arrangements. For those seeking to maximize their physician assistant pay in Bismarck, focusing on specialized training, especially in surgical (orthopedic and CT) domains, may provide a substantial financial advantage in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $129,650 for physician assistantsin the Bismarck 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, 6-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