Physician Assistant salary in Columbia, MO
Physician Assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $132,220 a year ($63.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $107,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,670 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 2% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $135,130. There are 1.3 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $132,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,340 | $51.60 |
| 25th percentile | $108,610 | $52.22 |
| Median | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| 75th percentile | $152,270 | $73.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,670 | $77.73 |
| Average (mean) | $132,510 | $63.71 |
Half of physician assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,018.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,509.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,085.38 |
| Weekly | $2,542.69 |
| Hourly | $63.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO-KS | $150,300 | 70 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $141,080 | 40 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $138,060 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $136,120 | 1,260 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $135,340 | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $133,350 | 540 |
| Springfield, MO | $129,270 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Veterinarian | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area is $132,220 a year, or $63.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $107,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $161,670 a year. The top 25% earn $152,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $107,340 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $108,610 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Columbia, MO?
About 140 physician assistants are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.