How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make in Missouri in 2026?

A typical Physician Assistant in Missouri earns about $64.96 per hour ($135,130 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $11,261 a month and $2,599 a week, based on the annual figure. Pay varies by setting and experience, but this figure represents typical earnings across the state. It reflects Missouri's full range of hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices.

Missouri's typical pay sits 1% below the national figure of $135,880 a year, according to the same data. That gap places Missouri 22nd out of 51 states for Physician Assistant pay. About 2,300 Physician Assistants work across Missouri, compared with 162,150 nationwide. The modest gap suggests Missouri's pay tracks closely with national norms, and lower pay in some states often lines up with lower living costs.

Entry-level positions for Physician Assistants in Missouri typically offer around $39.76 an hour, or about $82,690 a year, according to the same wage data. That figure reflects Physician Assistants just starting out, often in their first year or two of practice. Pay tends to rise as they gain experience and clinical responsibility. Within a few years, many reach the state's typical pay of $135,130 a year.

Experienced Physician Assistants in Missouri often earn upwards of $78.45 an hour, or $163,170 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $169,650 a year, or $81.56 an hour. That leaves a spread of $86,960 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of practice, and city all play a part in where someone lands within that range.

Missouri's typical pay for Physician Assistants rose from $93,030 a year in 2015 to $135,130 in 2025, according to wage data tracked over the past decade. That is a gain of $42,100, or 45%, over ten years. The climb was not perfectly steady: pay dipped slightly in 2017 and again in 2021, then peaked at $139,200 in 2024 before easing back in 2025. Even with those dips, the decade trend points upward.

Missouri's 45% rise over the decade outpaced the national increase of 38% over the same period. That means pay for Physician Assistants in Missouri grew faster than the country as a whole, even though the state's typical pay still sits slightly below the national figure. For someone starting a Physician Assistant career in Missouri now, that history shows pay has moved up over time, though past growth is no guarantee of future increases.

Physician Assistant pay runs highest in Joplin, where the typical rate reaches $150,300 a year, about 11% above the statewide figure. Cape Girardeau and St. Joseph also pay above the state's typical rate, at $141,080 and $138,060 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center. Smaller markets in southern and eastern Missouri appear to command a premium over the state's larger metro areas.

Springfield pays the least among Missouri's tracked cities, with typical pay of $129,270 a year, still a solid wage. The gap between Joplin and Springfield amounts to $21,030 a year. St. Louis employs the most Physician Assistants of any Missouri city, with about 1,260 working there at a typical $136,120 a year. Cities with higher pay often carry higher living costs, so take-home value can look different from the raw figures.

Among Missouri's neighbors, Oklahoma pays slightly more, at $136,550 a year, while Iowa runs about even at $134,770. Nebraska and Illinois pay a bit less, at $133,040 and $131,950, and Kansas trails further at $125,640. Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee pay the least, from $120,760 down to $118,240. Missouri sits closer to the higher end of this regional group. Physician Assistant licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across the border.

Physician Assistants in Missouri typically earn $135,130 a year, close to the national figure and up 45% over the past decade. Pay is highest in Joplin and lowest in Springfield, with St. Louis employing the most Physician Assistants statewide. Anyone considering the profession in Missouri should check the state licensing or registry page for current requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to practice.